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Karratha man charged over child exploitation material

Alicia PereraPilbara News
The Karratha courthouse.
Camera IconThe Karratha courthouse. Credit: Pilbara News, Alicia Perera

A 42-year-old Baynton man allegedly found to be in possession of more than 1200 images and videos of child exploitation material has appeared in Karratha Magistrate’s Court today.

West Pilbara detectives charged the man yesterday after conducting a search warrant the result of a Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) investigation.

He has been charged with the distribution of child exploitation material between March and September this year, and possession of child exploitation material with intent to distribute.

In court today, police prosecutor Lynn Barbour told the court the man was allegedly found to have more than 1200 images and videos of young children on two mobile phones.

She said the majority of that material appeared to fall within the most serious category of the police classification system for child exploitation material.

Aboriginal Legal Service defence lawyer Aidan Kraus applied for bail on behalf of his client, but the two Justices of the Peace presiding over the hearing rejected the application.

Sgt Barbour said police strongly opposed bail due to the severity of the charges and the fact the man had contact with children at his home and at work and could be a flight risk.

The accused has been remanded in custody and is due to re-appear before the Karratha Magistrate’s Court next Tuesday.

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