Occupational therapist remanded in custody on child sex charges
Occupational therapist Dylan Cunningham, 26, remanded in custody on six child sexual abuse charges.
Cunningham, a Hamilton occupational therapist, appeared in Melbourne County Court on October 15 for sentencing proceedings. Cunningham pleaded guilty in July to six charges: encouraging a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, possession of child abuse material, and four counts of sexual penetration of a minor.
The offences occurred over 11 months in 2024, when Cunningham was 23 and his victim was 14. Cunningham and the girl met through social media and exchanged explicit messages on Snapchat before meeting in person.
Police found 4,000 images and videos on four of his devices, including 835 images and 643 videos of children under 13. Judge George Georgiou ordered a psychologist to review his findings before sentencing.
Cunningham will be registered as a sex offender for life and can no longer work as an occupational therapist.
Why it mattersThe case shows how courts scrutinise psychological assessments in child sexual abuse cases before sentencing, and demonstrates the pattern of online grooming.
AustraliaThis is an Australian court case affecting sentencing guidelines and community safety in Victoria.
Open this story in InSnip →
