Former government software developer Songnan Bao charged with possessing child exploitation material

A former government software engineer, who was allegedly busted with child abuse material, will spend Christmas in custody as prosecutors request “months” to work through evidence.

A former government software engineer and father of two, who was allegedly busted with child abuse material, will spend Christmas in custody, after prosecutors told a court they’d need “months” to work through evidence.

On Wednesday, Songnan Bao, 42, of Valley View, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with two counts of knowingly be in possession of child exploitation material.

A duty solicitor, appearing for Mr Bao, told the court he would be making no application for bail on behalf of his client.

Mr Bao’s lawyer asked Magistrate Kym Millard if he had read the facts of charge.

“I have,” Mr Millard said, and whistled.

Mr Bao was arrested and charged on Tuesday by detectives from the elite Joint Anti Child Abuse Team – a joint effort by SA Police and the AFP.

Prosecutors on Wednesday afternoon said they would need until June to go through the alleged downloads.

“Our instructions are to seek seven months, due to the downloads,” prosecutors said.

Mr Millard refused to grant a next date that far in advance, instead bringing Mr Bao’s next appearance forward to mid April.

“At this stage, you’ve got sufficient evidence already to proceed, it’s just a question of what can be developed during the period of time in between the charge determination and the committal date,” he said.

Former government software developer Songnan Bao has been charged with possessing child abuse material. Picture: Twitter

“I don’t see that this is going to resolve in this court. It’s a matter that will go up to a higher court.”

According to Mr Bao’s LinkedIn, he spent nearly 6 years working for the Department of Human Services as a software engineer and developer.

He is currently employed as a software engineer for WiseTech Global, according to his profile.

Mr Bao’s family, including two young children, waited outside the courtroom throughout the day before his matter was heard.

Outside court, his wife told reporters that her husband was a “good man, and a good father”.

Songnan Bao’s wife (middle) and children leave court after his first hearing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“I believe he is a good person, he has good morals, he does the right thing. He’s a good father, a good worker and everyone likes him.”

She said she and her children came to court “just to see him, and see what we are going to do.”

“I felt sad,” she said.

Mr Bao’s lawyer asked for a Mandarin interpreter to be ordered for the next occasion.

He will return to court next year.

Originally published as Former government software developer Songnan Bao charged with possessing child exploitation material