Forrest Eden Pollock jailed for child abuse material charges

A Sunshine Coast man struggling with the death of his son has been jailed after police found more than 700 child exploitation images and 27 videos in his possession. Warning: Graphic

Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A Nambour man busted with more than 700 child exploitation images was mourning the loss of his son when the offences took place.

Forrest Eden Pollock, 33, appeared in the Maroochydore District Court on Monday, October 30, where he pleaded guilty to three charges including, distributing child exploitation material, possessing child exploitation material and using the internet to procure children under 16.

Pollock’s partner and brother were both present in the public gallery for the sentencing.

Pollock appeared restless in the dock, fidgeting as Crown prosecutor Sanaz Masoumi told the court police found 772 child exploitation images and 27 videos in his possession.

“The offending was detected by police in July last year, when they were tasked to investigate the distribution of child exploitation material by a username linked to the defendant’s email address,” Ms Masoumi said.

“A search warrant was then executed at the defendant's home in Nambour on the 19th of July last year and during the search his devices were seized, that included an iPhone 7 and an iPhone SE.”

Police seized two phones from the Nambour man. Picture: Istock

The court was also told Pollock messaged a number of underage girls online, on one occasion sending an image his genitalia.

Ms Masoumi told the court Pollock responded to one of his victim’s, who asked whether his behaviour was illegal, by messaging “just chatting haha but yes it is, it’s worth the risk”.

Barrister Ambyr Cousen told the court Pollock and his partner’s struggle to conceive was a contributing factor to the offending, as well as the death of his son and isolation during covid lockdowns.

District Court Judge Paul Smith told the court he believed Pollock was a “decent person”, however he did not find any exceptional circumstances excusing him from serving time behind bars.

“In the end I think this is just too serious Mr Pollock, I don’t think exceptional circumstances have been established in light of the types of charges,” Mr Smith said.

Pollock was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended after two months with two years’ probation.

The 33-year-old could be heard crying as he was taken from the dock into custody.

Mr Smith ordered a conviction be recorded.