A man charged with possessing child abuse material has been ordered to undergo a mental health assessment after his brief appearance in court on Wednesday.
ACT Policing said that in May 2021, anti-child exploitation team members received information from a foreign law enforcement agency about IP addresses being used to download child abuse material.
After a seven-month investigation, officers and members at specialist teams - including the AFP Victim Identification and AFP Digital Forensics - executed a search warrant at an Ainslie residence on Tuesday.
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During the search, police seized a number of electronic devices containing child abuse material.
Police allege the devices were possessed by a 22-year-old man.
The man was then arrested and charged with three counts of possessing child abuse material to which he has not pleaded.
He appeared via video-audio visual link in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon when his lawyer, James Maher, applied for a mental health assessment prior to any bail application.
The Commonwealth prosecutor in the case did not oppose this and magistrate James Stewart made the order.
"As soon as you're well enough, you'd be able to come back to court and apply for bail, okay?" Mr Stewart told the defendant.
"Yep," he replied.
"Just make sure you look after yourself. I don't want to hear about you harming yourself, okay?" Mr Stewart said.
Police said further analysis was being conducted on the devices seized and they expected to lay additional charges.
Anyone with information regarding the accessing or creation of child exploitation material is urged to contact Crime Stoppers ACT on 1800 333 000.
Information can be provided anonymously.
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Hannah Neale
Hannah is a general reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering the early breaking news shift and is ready to chase your morning headlines. Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT. Twitter: @neale_hannah
Hannah is a general reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering the early breaking news shift and is ready to chase your morning headlines. Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT. Twitter: @neale_hannah
Toby Vue
Toby Vue joined The Canberra Times in April 2021 and is a court reporter after covering the round in NSW and Queensland. He has also reported on regional and rural affairs, local government and sport. He was a Sunday Canberra Times reporter. Email: t.vue@canberratimes.com.au.
Toby Vue joined The Canberra Times in April 2021 and is a court reporter after covering the round in NSW and Queensland. He has also reported on regional and rural affairs, local government and sport. He was a Sunday Canberra Times reporter. Email: t.vue@canberratimes.com.au.
