William Ruming: Batemans Bay man convicted of possessing child abuse material to return to Shoalhaven for sentencing

A South Coast man who pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse material after his wife inadvertently uncovered a cache of photos stored on his phone will resettle in the region for sentencing, a court has heard.

A Batemans Bay man who pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse material after his wife inadvertently uncovered a cache of photos stored on his phone will resettle in the region for sentencing, a South Coast court has heard.

William Ruming, father of two, was residing in Surfside when one evening in August 2021 his wife used the flashlight function on her husband’s phone while he was asleep, accidentally revealing sexually explicit images and messages from a group chat titled “family enthusiasts”.

In the conversations recorded in police documents, the 36-year-old former Sanctuary Point man received images from multiple users, including one operating under the name “pantie man”, featuring pre-pubescent girls posing or engaged in sexual acts.

Ruming, who had also formerly resided in the Shoalhaven region, had relocated to Jimboomba near Logan in Southeast Queensland to live with his brother and sister-in-law after handing himself into police in September.

Appearing at the Batemans Bay Local Court on August 22, Sydney-based solicitor Rasheen Mahmodian told Magistrate David O’Connor Ruming would return to NSW to reside so that he might complete any term of imprisonment within the community.

Ruming told the court he would be able to relocate to Sanctuary Point, near Jervis Bay, within the next seven days.

Ms Mahmodian previously suggested Ruming might settle in Penrith, but could not provide Mr O’Connor with an address.

Ms Mahmodian told the court Ruming’s mental health had deteriorated prior to his wife’s discovery.

“At the time of the offending, he was working night shifts at a warehouse for a period of 18 months that caused significant stress to the mind and body, causing him to behave in certain ways,” she said.

“When his wife found out about the offending, he did not deny it and removed himself ultimately from the family home.”

Ms Mahomodian admitted the offence was “very serious” and that Ruming should have reached out for help.

Police documents seen by The South Coast News shed light on the extent of Ruming’s offending.

In one exchange with a user known as “Dan Noname”, Ruming asks if he has: “Got any younger?”

“No, I wish,” the user replied.

Ruming then asks if the man has had sexual intercourse with the man’s daughter.

“Yes, have been for a year now,” the user replied.

“Hmm any pics?” Ruming asked.

In another conversation, Ruming claimed he would “f**k her hard” after receiving images from a user known as “Katiexxx” of a young girl posing, while also sharing an image of a young girl in a leotard and ballerina skirt, stating: “Nothing better ha ha”.

After relocating, Ruming will be required to report to NSW community services for a sentencing assessment report.

He will reappear before Batemans Bay Local Court on September 19 for sentencing.