Scott William Mccallum sentenced in court for distributing child exploitation material

A Central Queensland man who sent written child exploitation material to another person was previously sentenced for taking a young girl from her home and sexually assaulting her. Warning: Distressing content

A Rockhampton man who sent written child exploitation material to another person was previously sentenced for taking a young girl from her home and sexually assaulting her, a court has heard.

Scott William Mccallum, 55, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton District Court on June 20 to one count of distributing child exploitation material.

Crown Prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence said Mccallum communicated with another person, who the court heard harboured similar interests, on July 22, 2020 and sent that person written child exploitation material.

Ms Lawrence said Mccallum had written a story that involved him subjecting a seven-year-old girl to various sexual acts including digital, oral and vaginal rape and her masturbating him.

She said the following day when there was no response from the other person to his story, Mccallum wrote, “I take it that didn’t impress you, tell me what you like?”.

Police executed a search warrant at Mccallum’s house on September 29, 2020 and seized his mobile phone.

A forensic examination revealed the emails exchanged between Mccallum and the unknown person.

Ms Lawrence said the child exploitation material did not involve a real person.

She said Mccallum had been sentenced to six years prison in August 1987 when he was 20 years old after breaking into a house in Blackwater in October 1986 and taking a four-year-old girl from her bed to an area of open land nearby and sexually assaulting her before releasing her.

About four months later in February 1987, he broke into the same house and attempted to take the same child, who was five years old, but she screamed as he was carrying her away and he fled.

Ms Lawrence said that although Mccallum’s criminal history was dated, it was relevant.

“(Mccallum) still appears to be sexually aroused by children,” she said.

Barrister Greg McGuire said his client’s criminal history, although dated, had continued to haunt him throughout his life.

“He was in custody on his 21st birthday and back in the day when there was no protection,” Mr McGuire said.

“The first time his parents went to see him he had been physically assaulted.”

He said his client was fortunate to have the “unwavering support” of his parents, who were present in court for the sentencing.

He said his client had been receiving extensive treatment from a psychologist.

“He has been able to maintain a law-abiding lifestyle,” he said.

“It’s quite unusual to see someone like that who has never got into trouble again.”

Mccallum was sentenced to six months prison, suspended for 12 months.

A criminal conviction was automatically recorded, making him a reportable sex offender.