Lauded Oakden nursing home whistleblower Stewart Johnston pleads guilty to possessing child exploitation material

A man lauded for blowing the whistle on an elder abuse scandal has pleaded guilty to possessing child exploitation material.

Lauded Oakden nursing home abuse scandal whistleblower Stewart Johnston will be sentenced for possessing child exploitation material – and claimed he had “no option but to” plead guilty.

Oakden abuse scandal whistleblower Stewart Johnston. Picture: Supplied

Johnston faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday on allegations he possessed the material in May last year, knowing of its exploitative nature.

Asked his plea to the charge, Johnston leaned on the ledge of the dock and answered “guilty, Your Honour”.

Outside court, he told the media: “I had no option but to plead guilty.”

Mr Johnston, 50, of Angaston, was arrested alongside his son Corey, 25, of Mannum, and charged with knowingly possessing child exploitation material.

He was one of the people who blew the whistle on the Oakden aged care abuse scandal, and went on to serve on a committee, appeal in political ads, and run in a Federal election.

On Wednesday, Corey Johnston pleaded guilty to the charge.

On Thursday, counsel for Johnston said that, following negotiations, prosecutors had agreed his client could be sentenced in the Magistrates Court.

Under law, that means he faces a lesser maximum penalty than he would were his matter remanded to the District Court.

“We are going to engage various experts to provide psychological reports,” his lawyer said.

“We’re seeking to have a time (for sentencing submissions) in May.”

Magistrate Karim Soetratma agreed and remanded Johnston on continuing bail until then.