Former Sydney barrister allegedly had thousands of child pornography images
A former high-flying Sydney barrister is facing multiple child pornography offences after his arrest last month. Police allegedly found child abuse material on his laptops and iPad.
Central Sydney
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A retired Sydney barrister allegedly had thousands of images of child pornography downloaded on three devices when his Alexandria home was raided last year, police claim.
Richard James Horsley returned to the courtroom on Wednesday when he appeared in person at Burwood Local Court, where he is facing three counts of possessing child abuse material and one charge of using a carriage service to access child pornography.
The 60-year-old sat in the gallery and took notes as his matter was briefly mentioned before Magistrate Lisa Stapleton, with an Akubra hat resting on the seat beside him.
According to court documents, Horsley had 1639 images depicting pre and post pubescent children “engaged in sexual activity or naked or sexually posing” contained on two HP laptops and an Apple iPad when his Brandling St, Alexandria, home was raided in August 2018.
Police will also allege there were 16 videos depicting child abuse material found across the two laptops.
Horsley had stepped down from his high-flying role shortly before his home was raided by police on August 28, 2018.
A year to the day later Horsley was arrested at Campsie police station and appeared at Burwood Court on August 28, 2019.
He has been released from custody after posting his own bail last month.
During his time at the Bar Horsley specialised in areas including banking and finance law, dispute settlements and compensation, according to FindLaw Australia.
Horsley’s matter was adjourned until November 6, when the Department of Police Prosecutions’ brief of evidence is due to be served.
