An Illawarra soccer coach accused of possessing and sharing child abuse material has made a brief court appearance, with his case stalled for police to examine seized devices.
Dressed in all black, Steven John Fullard sat in the front row of the public gallery with a woman by his side on Wednesday morning. The 55-year-old stood and raised his hand to identify himself as his matter was the first case called before Judge David Williams at Wollongong Local Court.
During the brief mention, a lawyer representing the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions requested an eight-week adjournment to allow for the examination of four devices seized by police. Defence lawyer Teagan McConchie asked that Fullard be excused from appearing in person on the next occasion in July, which Judge Williams granted.
Fullard, who remains on bail, was charged earlier this year after he allegedly came to the attention of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). He is facing charges of using a carriage service to access child pornography; producing, disseminating or possessing child pornography; and possessing child abuse data via a carriage service.
In a statement to the Illawarra Mercury, the AFP said the investigation was launched in February 2026 following a report to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation. The report detailed an online user on an instant messaging app allegedly displaying a sexual interest in children. Police then allegedly raided Fullard's Cordeaux Heights home on February 13, where the electronic devices were seized.
Fullard's next court appearance is scheduled for July, and he remains on bail until then.
