Charles Michael Shipton caught with 1000 child abuse images

While caring for a neighbour in need, a carer was hiding a sick secret. Now, his attraction to children and a horror collection of abuse images has been exposed.

Glenwood’s Charles Michael Shipton, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing child exploitation material when he faced Maryborough District Court.

A carer, busted with almost 1000 child abuse images, will spend the next four months in jail.

Glenwood’s Charles Michael Shipton, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing child exploitation material when he faced Maryborough District Court.

His offending was discovered when police executed a raid at his home, uncovering almost 1000 child abuse images on two laptops and a mobile phone.

In addition, 40 child abuse videos were uncovered.

Of those images, 104 fell into the most serious category, while 888 were in a less serious category and 22 of the videos were in the most serious category.

Shipton admitted to police he had downloaded and saved the material for his own sexual gratification.

He was co-operative with police, the court was told, including admitting he was sexually attracted to the images.

Judge Michael Burnett described the offending as “depraved and callous”.

He said the images depicted the sexual exploitation of vulnerable children, most of whom lived in third world countries.

Offenders like Shipton created a market for exploiting children, Judge Burnett said.

The court heard Shipton was ashamed and deeply remorseful for his offending.

Glenwood’s Charles Michael Shipton, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing child exploitation material when he faced Maryborough District Court.

He was a carer for a neighbour who depended upon him for assistance, the court heard, and had acted in that role since 2018, receiving a benefit from the government.

The possibility he may go to jail and leave his neighbour without assistance had been “playing on his mind,” the court was told.

Shipton had sought counselling from a psychologist in the weeks before his court appearance.

He had also written a letter of apology to the community, Judge Burnett said.

Shipton was sentenced to two years in prison, with an operational period of four years.

The prison sentence was to be suspended after four months.

He was also sentenced to 12 months’ probation.

“You need to be on your best behaviour for the next four years,” Judge Burnett said.