Paul Worsnop convicted of possessing child abuse material

A former school chaplain and Victoria Police volunteer has been convicted of possessing child abuse material despite claiming the images may have been planted on his device.

Paul Worsnop has been convicted of possessing child abuse material.

A former school chaplain and police volunteer has been convicted of possessing child abuse material.

Paul Worsnop, 64, hunched forward and stared down as Melbourne Magistrate Leon Fluxman on Thursday found him guilty of a single count of possessing child abuse images found on a hard drive in August 2021.

Worsnop denied the charge, claiming the folder — named “virus material” — could have been planted on his device by someone else.

Paul Worsnop conducts a service for Victoria Police.

But Mr Fluxman said even if Worsnop did not create the folder, he at least knew of its existence and did not delete it.

“As a result I’m satisfied beyond reasonable doubt the accused ... knowingly possessed child abuse material,” he said.

The Herald Sun last year revealed Worsnop – who was a police volunteer, Scout leader and Carols by Candlelight volunteer – had been stood down by Victoria Police after he was charged.

He also worked as a school chaplain at St Helena Secondary College from 2014 to 2021.

Worsnop, who is on bail, will return to court next month.