A MYERS Flat man who continued to transmit child abuse material while on bail for similar offending has been jailed for a minimum of three years and eight months.
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Police found more than 12,700 child abuse images and 64 child abuse videos on devices owned by Aaron James Gaunt, 38.
He was sentenced in the County Court in Melbourne on Thursday after pleading guilty to 11 charges and four summary offences.
Police became aware of Gaunt’s criminal activity in September, 2016, when he uploaded 17 child exploitation images to Tumblr, 13 of which fell into the two highest categories.
Gaunt was arrested in November, 2016, during a series of raids on properties he resided at in Bendigo.
His mobile phone contained 117 child abuse images, 73 in the worst category.
Gaunt was bailed but continued to offend, uploading further child abuse images to Facebook and Instagram where he went by the username “Rape Any Age”.
He also uploaded explicit images of a Bendigo woman to Tumblr, with the page’s name resembling the woman’s name. Captions contained rape threats and the woman’s personal details.
Gaunt was arrested again in August, 2017, at a shopping centre in Bendigo while “heavily drug affected”.
Analysis of his electronic devices uncovered more than 12,700 child abuse images.
Gaunt blamed his 20-year methamphetamine addiction for his offending and in a letter to the judge he stated he was sorry for his child exploitation material offending, but was not sorry for his drug offending.
Gaunt was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence. He was manufacturing ice using the “shake and bake” method.
The court heard he likely manufactured the drug for his own consumption.
Gaunt also stole more than $1000 from his father’s cheque account.
Judge Paul Lacava said it was concerning that Gaunt continued to offend while on bail.
“Child pornography involves the sexual abuse of children by adults. The victims may not be known by name, but the sexual abuse and exploitation involved is obvious,” he said.
“You repeatedly offended even after your first arrest, and charged and bailed.
“The courts must do all they can to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation by adults.”
Judge Lacava said he expected Gaunt to return to his “life of illicit drugs” when he leaves prison, given his lack of remorse for drug offending.
Gaunt was jailed for six years, but can be released on a recognizance order after three years and eight months if he receives parole at the earlier opportunity. He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.