A Canberra man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended after serving six months, for possessing child abuse material. Stewart Victor Bone, 41, appeared in the ACT Supreme Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child abuse material.
Details of the Offence
The court heard that police executed a search warrant at Bone's home in the Canberra suburb of Queanbeyan in March 2023. During the search, officers seized several electronic devices, including a laptop and mobile phone. A forensic examination of the devices revealed a collection of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The material included content involving children as young as five years old.
Bone's Background
The court was told that Bone had no prior criminal history and had been employed as a public servant for several years. His defence lawyer argued that Bone had been struggling with mental health issues at the time of the offence and had sought help voluntarily before the police raid. A psychologist's report presented to the court indicated that Bone was at a low risk of reoffending and had shown genuine remorse for his actions.
Sentencing Remarks
Justice David Mossop said that the possession of child abuse material was a serious offence that contributed to the exploitation of vulnerable children. However, he acknowledged Bone's early guilty plea, his lack of prior convictions, and his efforts to address his underlying issues. "The community must understand that viewing and possessing such material is not a victimless crime. It perpetuates the abuse of children," Justice Mossop said.
Bone was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended after six months, meaning he will be released on a good behaviour bond for two years. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years.
Reaction from Authorities
ACT Policing Detective Sergeant Mark Ireland welcomed the sentence, saying it sent a strong message that such behaviour would not be tolerated. "We are committed to protecting children from harm and will continue to target those who seek to exploit them," he said. "Anyone who views or shares child abuse material should know that they will be caught and face the consequences."
Bone was ordered to undergo treatment for his mental health issues and to have no contact with children under the age of 18 without supervision. He was also prohibited from using the internet without monitoring software.
