Man’s partner allegedly tampered with evidence in case involving photographs of children in sexual positions

Police will allege officers found 249 photographs of Northern Rivers children, cartoon images and anime of children in sexual positions and adult pornographic images.

Solomon Canuto, 29, is facing charges he possessed and disseminated child abuse material and filmed a person without their consent.

A Northern Rivers man charged with having almost 250 child abuse images on his phone has had his case deferred due to his partner allegedly tampering with evidence, a court has been told.

Solomon Canuto matters were heard Lismore Local Court on Wednesday over allegations he possessed child abuse material on his mobile phone.

In February 2019, NSW Police initiated an investigation after allegedly receiving information a man was filming children.

As part of their inquiries, police spoke to Mr Canuto and seized his mobile phone, which was examined by the Digital Forensic Investigation Unit.

Police will allege officers found 249 photographs of children in the Northern Rivers community, cartoon images and anime of children in sexual positions and adult pornographic images.

During his Wednesday mention, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions said the case had been delayed while they dealt with an additional matter ‒ that the man’s partner had been charged with tampering with evidence.

“It is with Canuto’s username of the account they allegedly committed that offence,” she said.

She added there were still 130 telephone calls outstanding in the case, which required “scrutiny” before they could proceed with serving a brief.

Mr Canuto’s solicitor Tom Ivey asked that “material be served as soon as possible”.

Magistrate Jeff Linden adjourned the matter until July 14.

Mr Canuto remains in custody.