Michael Witheford fronts court over vile child abuse material

A lonely novelist and musician sent hundreds of child abuse images to a woman, asking her which ones she’d prefer to “have” during an online chat about their sexual interest in kids.

Novelist and keen musician Michael Witheford sent dozens of child abuse images to a woman during an online chat about their sexual interest in children.

A novelist busted with hundreds of child abuse material sent the vile images to a mother during an online chat and asked her which of the children she would “have”.

Michael James Witheford, 62, of Northcote, pleaded guilty in the County Court on Monday to charges of possessing and transmitting child abuse material on two occasions in October 2023 and February 2024.

Investigators discovered 439 child abuse images across three devices during a search of his home in February 2024.

Prosecutor Brad Cullen said Witheford recorded a video chat with a mother of a five-year-old girl on October 13, 2023 where they discussed their sexual interest in children.

Witheford, who described himself as a disability pensioner, sent 30 child abuse images and videos to the woman who described the material as “very sexy”.

Michael Witheford outside the County Court after pleading guilty to possessing and transmitting child abuse material.

He asked her which of the children in the files he sent her she would “have” if she could “choose” from them.

Once she replied, Witheford suggested she tell her husband she wanted an 11-year-old boy before he sent her more child abuse material.

The woman also sent nudes of herself to Witheford after he said he had given her “lots of presents” and had taken her day into “weird places”.

Witheford told a psychologist he was horrified and ashamed of his offending which happened when he was lonely and isolated.

His lawyer Mihal Greener submitted a non-custodial sentence was appropriate, given his mental health struggles and the difficulties in taking his medication if he was to be sent to jail.

She said Witheford had a stable life, was a keen musician and had written a novel that was published by Penguin.

Witheford is on bail and will be sentenced on February 27.