Man given community order for possessing 3,800 child abuse videos
Morgan Phillips got a 16-month supervised community order instead of jail for having about 3,800 child abuse videos.
Morgan Phillips, 33, was arrested after police found 3,800 child abuse videos on his phone in Corowa in January. A random sample of 50 videos showed 45 were the most serious kind.
The judge gave weight to 80 days Phillips already spent in jail waiting for sentencing. Judge McLaughlin also knew Phillips had been sexually abused as a child.
His lawyer said he downloaded the videos to understand his trauma, not for sexual gratification. The Albury Local Court judge sentenced him to 16 months of supervised community corrections.
A 25 per cent cut was made for time he already served. He must complete a mental health treatment plan.
- 3,800 child abuse videos
- Videos found
- Corowa
- Arrest location
- 16 months supervised community corrections
- Sentence length
- 80 days before sentencing
- Jail time served
Why it mattersThe case shows how courts weigh an offender's own childhood trauma and jail time. These factors go against serious crimes involving child abuse material.
AustraliaAustralian courts continue weighing complex factors when sentencing those caught with child abuse material, balancing offender history against child safety.
Corroborated byThe Daily Advertiser
