Matthew Glenn Hewitt says deep web "rabbit hole" led him to possessing child exploitation material

A man who said he had ‘fallen down a rabbit hole’ of the deep web has pleaded guilty to possessing child exploitation material.

An Ipswich man who said he had ‘fallen down a rabbit hole’ of the deep web has expressed remorse for possessing child exploitation material.

Matthew Glenn Hewitt, 27, faced Ipswich District Court this morning.

The court heard his offences occurred on January 10, 2021, when police executed a search warrant on Hewitt’s house and found him in possession of two phones and a laptop containing the illegal material.

The material included 38 images and 76 videos designated as ‘category one’ – containing pre-pubescent children involved in sexual activity or having their genitalia displayed.

There were further images and videos found belonging to category two, some involving adults engaging in penetrative intercourse with children under the age of 13.

Judge Dennis Lynch noted that these belonged to the “worst category of child exploitation material.”

The court heard that Hewitt co-operated immediately with the police, and even pointed them towards the devices where the material was stored.

The police also seized a pipe used for smoking marijuana during their search.

On June 9 2022, Hewitt pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing child exploitation material – one count for each storage device – and one charge of possessing a pipe for use.

The court heard that Hewitt has no criminal history, a good work history and had a relatively good upbringing.

Judge Lynch noted that when interviewed by police, Hewitt “explained to them that [he] had fallen down a rabbit hole and become intrigued with of the deep web.”

Hewitt had also acknowledged that he used the material for sexual stimulation, but said it “wasn‘t [his] preference to rely on the child exploitation material for that purpose.”

Hewitt was examined by a psychologist, Professor Freeman, after his offending, who concluded that there was no evidence of an ongoing sexual attraction to children or a desire to engage sexually with actual children.

The report also concluded that Hewitt demonstrated moderate levels of anxiety and depression and presented a low risk of reoffending.

Judge Lynch deliberated upon whether Hewitt should be sentenced to a time of imprisonment, considering that those sentenced for possession of child exploitation material must serve time of imprisonment unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.

“No one should be under any misapprehension that possession of child exploitation material is a victimless crime,” he said.

“One of the purposes of sentencing for these offences is to deter people engaging in this behaviour because accessing this sort of material has the effect of encouraging the further abuse of children, wherever that might occur in the world.”

Taking into account Hewitt’s “excellent prospects of rehabilitation”, acceptance of responsibility, remorse, and willingness to engage in psychological treatment, Judge Lynch concluded that exceptional circumstances did apply.

Hewitt was sentenced to 18 months probation for the possession of child exploitation material charges.

For possession of the pipe, he was convicted and not further punished, and ordered to surrender the pipe.

Judge Lynch ordered that a conviction be recorded “add another level of supervision” to deter Hewitt from reoffending.