Bradley John Burch avoids jail time after pleading guilty to child porn charges

Bradley John “Daddy” Burch — a former senior ACT Health bureaucrat — would normally have been jailed for his vile child porn collection but walked free from court on Wednesday. Find out why.

Bradley Burch, 35, has avoided jail but remains at the heart of an ACT government scandal after being busted with child pornography. Picture: Supplied

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A Canberra public servant at the centre of a child porn scandal has dodged jail time because he wouldn’t be able to have visitors in jail.

Bradley John Burch, 35, of Fyshwick, is a former senior ACT Health bureaucrat and continued working for the department for six months after pleading guilty to possessing child abuse material and using a carriage service to access child abuse material.

The revelation of his continued employment prompted demands for a full investigation and public explanation from the ACT Liberal opposition.

Burch appeared in the ACT Supreme Court on Wednesday, where Chief Justice Helen Murrell said it was concerning he “continues to lack insight into his conduct”.

Burch, court document show, had online conversations with apparently underage girls in which he called himself “daddy”.

In one exchange, Burch said he “ (hadn’t) been caught yet, but would be put away for a long time if I was’’.

Chief Justice Murrell said it was “borderline” whether she should send Burch to jail, and she chose not to only because the COVID-19 pandemic meant visitors were banned from the jail.

“Ordinarily I would not consider an (intensive corrections order) would be an available punishment for the offences,” she said.

“Despite having significant reservations about doing so, I am satisfied I will make an ICO.”

Burch, who appeared at court with a bag or personal belongings, appeared shocked and relieved when he was told he would not see the inside of a jail cell.

Chief Justice Murrell handed him a 12 month ICO, with 200 hours of community work.

Burch was also ordered to be assessed for a sexual offenders program and will have to take part in it if he is found to be a suitable candidate.

ACT corrections will also have the power to search his home and his wife’s business without notice.