29yo man sent dozens of child pornography videos and photos while on probation

A man’s vile messages to a group where he shared degrading images of children have been revealed. Find out what happened in court >>>>

A MAN’s vile messages to a group which shared degrading images of children have been revealed.

Reportable sex offender Blake Raymon Maxwell, 29, used an encrypted messaging app to share dozens of child abuse images and videos to multiple users, telling the group he “loved toddlers”.

Maxwell pleaded guilty in Townsville District Court to charges of distributing and possessing child exploitation material (CEM), and multiple counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations, committed on dates spanning mid 2019 to early 2020.

In 2017, Maxwell was sentenced to 12 months jail, wholly suspended and placed on a good behaviour bond and two years probation for possessing images and videos on three mobile phones.

But the order did not deter Maxwell, with the court hearing his offending had instead escalated from possessing to distributing CEM.

A search of Maxwell’s phone uncovered 44 images and 15 videos depicting child pornography, sent to eight users over two days in December 2019.

Of the 44 files, many fell into the most serious classification category for CEM, including some images depicting a four and two-year-old.

In messages to users on the app, Maxwell told users he “loved toddlers and babies the most” and asked for material depicting toddlers or younger.

Maxwell also failed to report an Instagram account, and a phone number.

When police arrested Maxwell in August 2020, he claimed his housemates had planned a “revenge attack” on him.

Maxwell was remanded in custody, with 15 months declared as presentence custody.

Defence barrister Dane Marley said taking into account Maxwell’s time on remand, and the lengthy parole board application delays, anything but a suspended sentence would be “unjust” and not “give credit” to Maxwell’s guilty plea.

Mr Marley said Maxwell had “cognitive deficits” and Klinefelter syndrome, and told the court his client felt “grateful” for his time in custody.

He said Maxwell had learnt from the experience, and knew he “can’t take back the past, but he is able to control his future”, and submitted he serve a sentence in the community to continue his rehabilitation.

Judge John Coker condemned Maxwell’s “degrading and despicable” actions.

“Under no circumstances would it ever be considered anything other than disgusting and disgraceful,” Judge Coker said.

Maxwell was sentenced to three years jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of three years and placed on two years probation.

Originally published as 29yo man sent dozens of child pornography videos and photos while on probation