Queensland man jailed 17 years for sharing child abuse material in chat group
Umesh Dhakal
KNA- Canberra
A man from Cairns has been sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for multiple child abuse-related offences, including actively participating in an online chat group dedicated to sharing child abuse material.
The sentence was handed down in the Cairns Supreme Court on 25 February 2026.
The court heard that the offender was involved in seven child abuse-related offences and had taken part in distributing and accessing exploitative material through an online platform.
He has been ordered to serve eight years in custody before becoming eligible for parole.
Authorities reiterated that offences involving child exploitation material are treated with the utmost seriousness, with significant penalties imposed to deter online abuse and protect vulnerable children.
Investigations into online child exploitation continue, with law enforcement agencies urging the public to report any suspicious activity.
The Manoora man, 30, who has been in custody since August, 2022, today pleaded guilty to seven offences:
- One count of the aggravated offence of conduct contrary to one or more of sections 474.22, 474.22A and 474.23 of the Criminal Code, on three or more occasions and between two or more people, contrary to section 474.24A of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of using a carriage service to cause child abuse material to be transmitted to himself, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- Two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed by using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- Two counts of transmitting child abuse material using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).
Source: AFP/Media
