A Bendigo man who cajoled teenage girls into sending him explicitly sexual photos and videos of themselves could spend up to four years in prison.
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Registered sex offender Garry Norman Mackay's crimes were committed against 19 underage victims, 14 of whom were aged under 16.
In 2018, the now-29-year-old had victims send him 93 images of child abuse material.
Communicating with the victims online, he described sexual acts and referred to himself as "daddy" and them as "daughter".
Mackay sent a number of the victims a photograph of a penis.
He struck up contact with a 20-year-old woman, who claimed to be younger and sent him child abuse material.
Police also found 225 additional child abuse images on his phone.
On Friday, County Court Judge Paul Lacava sentenced Mackay to a maximum of four years' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years.
Mackay pleaded guilty to 32 offences, including 12 counts of causing child abuse material to be sent to him using a carriage service, five counts of grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia, six counts of transmitting indecent communications to a child under 16 using a carriage service, six counts of soliciting child abuse material using a carriage service, one count of possessing child abuse material, and two counts of failing to comply with his sex offender reporting obligations.
"I think you offended because you were, and are, a very lonely young man," Judge Lacava said on Friday.
"Sadly, that explains your offending, but it does not excuse it."
Judge Lacava said Mackay - who became a registered sex offender for life in 2013 - had poor prospects of rehabilitation.
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A psychologist determined Mackay was at high risk of reoffending and needed urgent and comprehensive treatment to reduce this risk, but also found he was psychologically vulnerable with a significant history of mental illness.
Judge Lacava noted there were issues in Mackay's background that called for mitigation.
Mackay was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and had used a wheelchair since he was a child.
His parents placed him in foster care when they could not deal with his medical needs, which resulted in him being abused. He also suffered significant burns in respite care.
"[Defence counsel] submitted that your disadvantaged life as a person with a disability since birth and the fact you've been virtually abandoned by your family, and subject to... abuse as a young child, must be taken into account, especially when assessing your moral culpability for this offending. I accept that submission," Judge Lacava said.
The judge also accepted Mackay's physical and mental health issues would make custody more burdensome for him than others.
Judge Lacava said he had fixed a lengthy parole period in sentencing Mackay.
If Mackay had not entered a guilty plea, he would have been jailed for at least five years, and a maximum of seven years and six months.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
