An Australian father who caught his teenage stepdaughter sexting her boyfriend has himself been convicted of child porn offences because of the way he referred the matter to the police.
Ashan Ortell copied multiple sext images he found on his daughter’s phone onto a USB and computer because he wanted police to investigate the matter further. But when police seized the devices, the concerned stepfather was charged with possessing child pornography.
According to The Age, Ortell had found the pictures after confiscating a phone from his stepdaughter, who at the time was aged about 15.
When the stepfather, who was reportedly the primary carer for the girl at the time, was unsatisfied with the police’s original repose he made copies of the images for follow up inquiries, despite warnings he could be prosecuted for doing so under child pornography laws.
Police made raids on Mr Ortell’s property in 2013 and they found 18 images on his devices.
Judge Jane Patrick judge said in sentencing it was a “very unusual case.”
“The law says that people may not keep images of a sexual nature of children. Usually such images are kept for sexual motivation,” she said.
“That is not the case in your situation. You kept the images, I am satisfied, because you were very concerned about what had been going on and foolishly decided that this was the way to deal with it. Nevertheless the message has to get out to everybody that sexual images of children must not be kept on computers or any other form of equipment.”
Ortell was sentenced to a 12-month good behaviour bond and put on the sex offenders list where he will have to comply with possible requirements like reporting his whereabouts and not be allowed to work with children.
Tips for how parents can keep their children safe from the dangers of sexting
Teach children the dangers of this type of behaviour and advise them to think before they act.
Ensure children know that they are not to send pornographic images of themselves to anyone either over their mobile phones or via the internet. Even minors who have child pornography in their possession can be charged under the law.
Teach children about the types of sexual predators that are out there and may prey on them.
Parents should familiarise themselves with the new technologies that are around, so they understand the potential for exploitation, as well as what their kids are doing.
Parents need to overcome any embarrassment they may feel about talking to their children about sex, so they can be effective when educating their kids about the dangers associated with child pornography.
If parents are going to give their child a mobile phone, ensure they are mature enough to use it appropriately.