Shaun Geoffrey Johnson in Bundaberg District Court on child exploitation charge

When a young Bundaberg man was sent two disturbing child exploitation videos, he didn’t delete them. Instead, he kept them, and watched them again.

Shaun Geoffrey Johnson outside Bundaberg Court House.

A young Bundaberg man, who was sent two child exploitation videos on a social messaging site then failed to delete them, has fronted district court.

Police uncovered the videos on a phone belonging to 21-year-old Shaun Geoffrey Johnson after carrying out a search warrant in April, 2021.

The prosecution stated Johnson had kept the videos, which were “abhorrent in nature”, and “watched them more than once”.

Barrister Neville Weston said Johnson had a lack of previous criminal history and had been cooperative with police.

“He does suffer from autism, he does have the support of his family,” he said.

The court heard that Johnson should receive medical and psychological support services to help prevent him from relapsing into further offending.

Judge Leanne Clare cautioned Johnson, who appeared in court on Wednesday, that while he may be a first-time offender, it was a defence that would only work in his favour once.

Ms Clare said Johnson’s level of offending was low and he did not appear to pose any significant risk to the community.

Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child exploitation material.

In order to receive support, direction and treatment, Johnson was sentenced to 18 months’ probation.

No conviction was recorded.