Ian Douglas Keltie sentenced in Gladstone for child exploitation material offences

When an Australian Border Force X-ray revealed the confronting childlike contents of a Queensland-bound parcel, police were sent to a home where a sinister sex library was uncovered. *Graphic content

Ian Douglas Keltie was sentenced in the District Court at Gladstone on July 17, 2023.

Authorities caught a Central Queensland man importing a child sex doll to Australia before a police raid of his home netted 89 child exploitation images featuring children as young as two.

Ian Douglas Keltie, 56, was sentenced in the District Court at Gladstone on July 17 after pleading guilty to one count each of possessing child exploitation material, attempting to possess a child abuse object, and possessing a dangerous drug.

The court heard that on December 6, 2021, Australian Border Force officers conducted an X-ray of an inbound package addressed to Keltie.

Inside the package, officers found a female child sex doll with underdeveloped breasts and an opening for a vagina.

The court was told the doll appeared to be a child no older than 12 years of age.

Accessories for the doll were also seized.

Border Force reported the find to Queensland Police Service which executed a warrant at Keltie’s residence.

The court was told that Keltie purchased the sex doll from a website “with the intention of receiving a child sex doll.”

“You indicated to police officers during the search warrant that you thought the doll would be a developed teenager,” Judge Amanda McDonnell said.

Ian Douglas Keltie.

During the search, a partial examination of Keltie’s electronic devices was conducted which revealed “a number of items” of child exploitation material on his phone and computer.

The court heard that in total, 89 items of “category two” child exploitation material were found.

“The category two images featured predominantly young children aged between two and six years of age,” Judge McDonnell said.

Police also found less than 1g of cannabis in a small bowl in Keltie’s lounge room.

The court heard Keltie had “dated and limited” criminal histories in Queensland and Victoria.

It was told that Keltie was a single man, who after leaving school completed a boilermaking apprenticeship, and he had “almost always” worked in that qualified trade, as well as having stints as a commercial fisherman and in retail as an assistant manager.

Barrister Tom Polley said Keltie had a “good family upbringing”.

In 2021, Keltie was diagnosed with bowel cancer and after treatment he was currently in remission and awaiting surgery to remove a colostomy bag, the court heard.

Judge McDonnell noted: “And I’m told you are at risk of infection if incarcerated.”

Mr Polley said during Keltie’s cancer treatment, and without employment, his alcohol consumption “spiked quite a lot.”

“Which may assist Your Honour somewhat, in working out how this stupid behaviour come about,” Mr Polley said.

“Since the charges have come to light, he (Keltie) has reduced his drinking significantly – he has confided and confessed his sins to his friends.

“He apologises to the court – he’s embarrassed and appalled by his behaviour.”

Before handing down penalty, Judge McDonnell said because of the lack of relevant criminal history, the relatively low-level and number of images, as well as Keltie’s medical condition, she was satisfied that there were “exceptional circumstances” in this case.

She sentenced Keltie to nine months’ jail, suspended for an operational period of 12 months.

Keltie was also fined $100 and convictions were recorded.