Yanderra man Christopher McClymont learns fate for producing, possessing child abuse material

A former volunteer firefighter who was honoured for his service during the Black Summer fires was busted after an police uncovered a horror trove of child abuse material that showed children as young as one being sexually abused.

Yanderra bus driver and former RFS firefighter Christopher McClymont has been sentenced for producing, possessing child abuse material.

A decorated former firefighter who was busted hoarding a vile stash of child abuse material, including videos he had created, on more than 10 devices has been jailed for the heinous crimes.

Christopher McClymont, 40, of Yanderra, faced Campbelltown District Court for sentencing on Monday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child abuse material, possessing child abuse material and using a carriage service to access or control such material.

Charges of filming a person in private without their consent and of using a carriage service to access child abuse material were also taken into account on sentencing.

The offences took place between 2015 and 2022 and after the Australian Federal Police received a tip off, officers police raided his home in June 2022.

During a police interview, McClymont said the vile abuse was on his phone was because he was a “digital hoarder” and he would download anything that comes through, but denied having a sexual interest in children.

Yanderra bus driver and former rural service firefighter Christopher McClymont.

Twelve devices were seized at the home which contained a horrifying stash of child abuse material, including thousands of images and hundreds of videos, which showed children aged from one to 15 years old being sexually abused.

The investigation also uncovered McClymont’s access to a website that where police located dozens of written stories relating to the sexual abuse of children. But it could not be determined how often or which stories McClymont accessed.

In sentencing, Judge Tanya Smith noted he had been diagnosed with mild pedophilic disorder and schizoid personality disorder.

“The offender first viewed pornography at age 12 with the internet being his primary means of access … the long standing and entrenched nature of the offenders sexual interest in children is clear” she said.

“I find that if the offender is able to positively engage in treatment his prospects of rehabilitation is reasonable.”

Judge Smith said McClymont had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, had no criminal record, had co-operated with police and expressed remorse.

It was revealed in court McClymont, a bus driver, had been asked to resign from the Rural Fire Service after his arrest. He had been awarded the National Emergency Medals for his service during the horror 2019-20 Black Summer fires.

Judge Smith said McClymont had the continued support of his mother, who was shocked when his offending came to light and would allow him to live on her property on his release but not hide from what he had done.

“The offender recognises his stepfather as an important figure in his life who is currently a serving police officer,” Judge Smith said.

“The offender telling the psychologist this has made his time in custody additionally challenging for the family.”

McClymont was convicted and for three of the offences was handed a combined jail term of 18 months with a non parole period of 12 months. This was backdated to June 2022.

For possessing or controlling child abuse material using a carriage service, he was sentenced to three years jail backdated to January 2023. He is to be released on a suspended sentence on December 2, 2024.