Michael George Graves: Ipswich man jailed for child porn collection

A South East Queensland man who walked free from jail five years ago after pleading guilty to possessing child porn has returned to court this week on similar charges. WARNING: Distressing content.

An Ipswich baker and repeat child sex offender sobbed as he was handed down an 18-month jail sentence for having more than 100 pornographic images of children on his devices, hugging his family goodbye before police escorted him out of the courtroom.

Michael George Graves, 26, appeared in Ipswich District Court on Friday June 3, where he pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing child exploitation material and four charges of failing to comply with his reporting obligations as a registered child sex offender.

It came after Graves was sentenced in Brisbane District Court to 18 months’ imprisonment with immediate release for child pornography and exploitation offences in 2016.

The Springfield Lakes man was 20 years old at the time of sentence and 19 when he was found to have more than 1400 child exploitation files and 17 videos across five of his devices.

Crown prosecutor Tom O’Brien said Graves made “extensive” admissions to police when caught, telling them he searched terms such as “little girls”, “pre-teen”, and “nude” when looking for the material.

With respect to the charges before the court on Friday, Mr O’Brien said police were conducting a compliance check at his house – which was required as he was a reportable child sex offender – when they discovered a total of 135 pornographic images of children on his phone.

They also found four social media applications, namely Twitter, TikTok, Discord, and Steam. He had not reported downloading any of them.

Of the images found, 103 were “unique”. It is understood there was an additional photo of a cartoon child engaging in sexual acts.

While Mr O’Brien could not explain the content of the images, Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC noted the children were pre-pubescent and at least under 13 years old.

An additional 126 “illegal images” were discovered on Graves’ devices, though the age of the children featured and the form of activity they were engaging in was not disclosed to the court.

Defence barrister Justin Thomas argued it was important to prioritise rehabilitation in Graves’ penalty, which engaging in employment and increased social interaction would help him achieve.

“His rehabilitation is ultimately … best served in the community,” Mr Thomas said.

He urged Mr Horneman-Wren to consider suspending Graves’ term of imprisonment after serving just two months as that would be “significant punishment”.

Mr Horneman-Wren told Graves it was important he understood his crimes were not victimless, as every child pictured in the material he possessed was a victim of abuse.

He noted the 26-year-old’s early pleas of guilty, his co-operation with police, and his engagement with counselling when deciding an appropriate penalty.

He also took into account Graves’ employment record as a baker, the support he had in his mother, father, and brother, and his “obvious” need for deterrence.

For the possession offence, Graves was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment to be suspended after serving three months for an operational period of 2.5 years.

On each of the other counts before the court, Mr Horneman-Wren imposed a three-year probation order. They are to be served concurrently.

Graves sobbed as Mr Horneman-Wren handed down the verdict and hugged his mum, dad, and brother before being escorted out of the courtroom by police.

Convictions were recorded.