Court told psychologists need extra time to analyse HIV-positive pedophile Jadd William Brooker ahead of ‘indefinite’ prison term

Australia’s worst-ever child sex offender poses a workload problem for psychologists, a court has heard – while a “glitch” almost sent his case to trial by mistake.

Psychologists need extra time to analyse Australia’s worst-ever child sex offender due to the sheer volume of his crimes, a court has heard.

The Supreme Court has also heard some of HIV-positive pedophile Jadd William Brooker’s crimes were accidentally listed to go to trial, despite his guilty pleas.

Brooker, 40, of Glenelg East, has pleaded guilty to 182 crimes against children and teenagers nationally and around the world.

He was the central player in an online pedophile ring that included former SA Labor adviser Benjamin John Waters.

On Monday, prosecutor Lucy Boord said the evidence would show Brooker either could not stop himself offending, or did not want to, meaning he should be jailed indefinitely.

“We say this court should undertake an inquiry into his mental competence,” she said.

Jadd William Brooker. Picture: Facebook.

“It should determine whether he is incapable or unwilling to control his sexual instincts.”

She asked the court to order reports from two mental health experts, who would then be called to give oral evidence in support of their diagnoses.

“I’ve spoken with the Director of the Forensic Mental Health Service, and he tells me that those reports ordinarily take three months,” she said.

“Given the volume of material and charges in this particular matter, he’s estimated it could take four months.

“Defence counsel will then need time to consider and take instructions on those reports.”

Justice Laura Stein agreed, and also asked it be “noted on the transcript” that an “administrative error” had been made in Brooker’s case.

“It had been recorded there was no plea on some of the charges, and they were listed for trial … obviously, that’s not the case,” she said.

“I gather it was an administrative glitch … the court’s registry will, or already has, corrected it.”

She ordered the reporters and remanded Brooker in custody for sentencing submissions in July.