Robert Hill: Lakemba man admits to uploading child torture and sex abuse images online
Robert Hill has admitted to uploading sick images depicting the torture and sexual abuse of children, deemed by police to be in the “most serious category”.
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A south-west Sydney man has admitted to uploading sick images showing the torture and sexual abuse of children online, deemed by police to be in the “most serious category”.
Robert Alan Hill, 68, of Lakemba, was arrested by the Australian Federal Police yesterday after detectives allegedly linked him to an online account which had uploaded child abuse material on the internet.
Police allege Hill obtained the images off the dark web before transmitting them online.
He faces one charge of possessing child abuse material accessed via a carriage service and faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
Hill appeared via video-link from Campsie Police Station at Parramatta Local Court today and refused the assistance of a lawyer.
He was swift to plead guilty to the charge, however, Magistrate Tim Keady urged him to seek legal advice due to the serious nature of the allegations.
Police began investigating Hill after receiving a tip-off from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States.
“The report alleged an Australian internet user had uploaded abuse images involving children online, categorised as involving the torture and sexual abuse of children,” police said.
Hill was subsequently identified as the suspected user of the account and was arrested following a raid on his home yesterday.
Detectives seized several electronic devices alleged to contain child abuse material. A forensic examination of the devices continues.
AFP Commander of the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation Jamie Strauss said these investigation like this revealed the realities of the demand for child abuse material.
“In homes across Sydney, we unfortunately have people who are seeking to view the most depraved acts of abuse committed against children,” Cmdr Strauss said.
“We will not stop in our pursuit to bring this type of offending from the anonymity of the online world and before the courts.”
Hill did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
The case will return to Parramatta Local Court in August.