Convicted child sex offender Frederick Webb jailed for possessing child exploitation material

A convicted child sex offender found to be in contact with a child said he returned to downloading child exploitation material after the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

A man was getting his life back on track when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and he fell back into his vile habits.

Frederick Charles Webb, 49, is now eligible for parole after he was caught with child exploitation material only shortly after being released for jail on child sex crimes.

The Adelaide District Court heard that Webb was subject to a supervision order at the time of the offending, meaning he had to report when he met children.

Police went to a Whyalla address on June 26, 2020 where Webb had been working on renovations.

“The occupant had a seven-year-old daughter,” Judge Julie McIntyre said during sentencing.

Webb had first met the child on June 19 and had not reported it.

Police arrested Webb.

“When they searched you, police found a USB which was analysed and found to contain child exploitation material,” Judge McIntyre said.

The court heard police found nine video files of child exploitation material, containing footage of children under the age of 14.

They also found a further two files of child exploitation material, with one depicting penetrative sexual activity between children and adults.

Frederick Webb was jailed in the Adelaide District Court for possessing child exploitation material. Picture: File

Webb, of Port Augusta, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing child exploitation material.

The court heard Webb who had a “very difficult childhood” was of below average intelligence.

Webb had previously been jailed for “disturbing and deviant offences” including committing an act of indecency with a child and possessing child exploitation material.

The court heard Webb started a general maintenance and garden care business after his release from jail.

“You were making progress and feeling positive about your life,” Judge McIntyre said.

“Unfortunately the pandemic struck in about March 2020. You lost most of your work.”

Webb then turned to downloading child exploitation material.

“You assisted in the creation of a market for the continued corruption and exploitation of children,” Judge McIntyre said.

Judge McIntyre sentenced Webb to one year and seven months jail, with a non-parole period of one year.

“Possessing child abuse material is not a victimless crime,” Judge McIntyre said.

“Real children are abused in the making of the material and these children suffer an additional layer of trauma, living with the knowledge that images of their abuse exist in perpetuity and can surface on the internet at any time.”

The sentence was backdated to June 26, 2020, meaning Webb is now eligible for parole.