Peter Adriaan Saarberg hides from media after being sentenced for possessing thousands of child exploitation images

An Australia Post employee and dad to three kids’ shocking ‘collection’ of more than 3000 graphic child pornography images and videos revealed.

An Aussie post worker and father-of-three has been sentenced more than a year after a search of his family home uncovered his “vile” collection of thousands of graphic child pornography images.

Peter Adriaan Saarberg had three devices to which he saved 3227 images and 405 videos of children as young as toddlers being exploited, exposed and penetrated by adults.

Judge Horneman-Wren described the material as “vile” and said there was no other way to describe the acts of penetration other than as the children being raped.

Saarberg, supported by his family, faced the Ipswich District Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child exploitation material on dates unknown between February 10, 2017 and May 30, 2020.

Police discovered the “collection” of child exploitation material while executing a search warrant on Saarberg’s house in May 2020.

Peter Adriaan Saarberg hides from media while leaving Ipswich District Court after being sentenced for possessing child exploitation material.

The material depicted girls and toddlers posing in a variety of positions and being made to perform disgusting and degrading acts.

Saarberg said the images and videos sexually aroused him and that he liked to “collect and categorise” the material.

The court heard his collection and organisation system gave Saarberg a “source of enjoyment and satisfaction.”

Saarberg told police during the search that child exploitation material was getting “difficult” to locate but it was still able to be found.

Saarberg, an Australia Post employee of 20 years, was placed on suspension after disclosing the charge to his employer.

The court heard the suspension could be lifted depending on the outcome of his sentence.

Defence barrister Penelope White said Saarberg had been taking steps towards his rehabilitation and was seeing a psychologist monthly.

Saarberg told the psychologist he was not sexually aroused by the child exploitation material, the court heard.

Police found more than 3000 child exploitation images and videos on Peter Adriaan Saarberg’s devices during a search of his home.

Judge Horneman-Wren said this was inconsistent with what Saarberg previously told police.

Ms White said Saarberg was a “hardworking” father who was remorseful and had accepted responsibility for his offending.

Saarberg was given an 18 month prison sentence wholly suspended for two and half years.

Judge Horneman-Wren said possessing child exploitation material was a “very serious” offence.

“(It is) not a victimless crime,” he said.

“Every child in every one of those images is a victim.

“ … Access to such material perpetuates the exploitation of the children.”