Brett Finch’s child abuse material court matter delayed

The former NRL star was arrested following a police investigation into the alleged transmission of child abuse material.

The court matter of former NRL star Brett Finch, who is accused of using a gay sex hotline to discuss and share child abuse material, has again been delayed.

The former NSW State of Origin half was arrested last year when strike force detectives raided his Sans Souci home over his alleged involvement in an adult telephone service that was being used to transmit child abuse material.

Police seized his mobile phone for forensic examination and he was charged with five counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material.

Mr Finch was in May hit with two fresh counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material.

The 40-year-old did not appear in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday where his lawyer told the court a case conference was taking place on Thursday.

Brett Finch did not appear at court on Tuesday when his matter was adjourned. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

The matter will be back in court next month.

The NSW Police Child Exploitation Internet Unit launched Strike Force Hank last year to investigate an adult telephone service which was allegedly used by men to disseminate and discuss child abuse material.

Mr Finch was arrested on December 14 and charged with five counts of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse material. He was released on strict conditional bail.

According to court documents, police allege Mr Finch used a carriage service to make available child abuse material between November 6, 2020, and January 30 last year.

The former star was one of eight men, aged between 34 and 71, charged following raids across Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Shoal Bay.

Police will allege in court that Mr Finch called the hotline twice in November 2020, twice in December 2020 and once in January 2021 with most calls allegedly occurring in the early hours of the morning between midnight and 5am.

Brett Finch was a member of Melbourne’s grand final winning side during his playing career. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Mr Finch is yet to enter a plea.

The former footy star’s shock arrest came one week after he opened up about alcohol and drug addiction issues that have plagued his post-playing career.

Finch represented Canberra, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta and Melbourne throughout a distinguished 270-game NRL career that included the Storm’s 2007 grand final victory over Parramatta that was subsequently wiped from the history books due to salary cap cheating.

He was best remembered for kicking the winning field goal in game one of the 2006 State of Origin series after being brought in as a late replacement due to an injury crisis in the Blues’ halves.

Following his on-field retirement, Mr Finch moved into the media and had commentating stints with Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

He checked himself into a mental health facility in 2019 and has since said he hit “rock bottom” in 2016 after he was stood down by Channel 9.