Frankston Magistrates’ Court: Timothy Bryant allegedly stashed tens of thousands of child abuse photos
An alleged grub could be in for a larger sentence than first thought after police pushed for his “large number” of child abuse images matter to be bumped up to the County Court.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man who was allegedly busted with tens of thousands of child abuse images could face the County Court after an “eleventh hour” submission.
Timothy Bryant faced the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a single charge of possessing child abuse material.
Mr Bryant appeared in court to plead guilty to the charge however, was met with a last minute submission from police that the matter should be heard in the County Court instead of the Magistrates’ Court, where the penalties given can be higher.
Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Joshua Wood submitted he believed it was serious enough alleged offending to warrant more jail time than the two years the Magistrates Court was allowed to order.
“I accept this is coming at the eleventh hour,” he said.
Mr Bryant is accused of being found with “tens of thousands” of category one and two child abuse images.
Police found the alleged material after executing a warrant and searching his phone and computer.
Mr Darcy for Mr Bryant fought the submission from police and said the matter could be sufficiently dealt with in the Magistrates Court as it was a first offence and there was psychological evidence to support it staying.
“This court can adequately deal with this,” he said.
He continued to say the magistrate had “extensive powers” to sentence appropriately.
However, Magistrate Mark Sabljak said in the interests of “fairness” the matter should be adjourned to a filing hearing at Melbourne to allow Mr Bryant and his defence to properly prepare submissions as to why it should stay in the lower court.
Mr Bryant was supported in court by his mother and sister.
The matter was adjourned to next month for further hearing where it will be decided which court the matter is heard in.
