Huntfield Heights man Lance Reed had more than 1100 child abuse files, some including toddlers, court told

An Adelaide man who originally fronted court after being injured during an arrest had a disturbing number of child abuse files that included toddlers, a court has heard.

An Adelaide delivery driver found with more than 1100 files of child abuse material – some showing the horrific abuse of toddlers – has pleaded guilty to an extra two counts of dissemination, a court has heard.

Lance Robin Berry Reed, 47, appeared in the District Court on Monday in front of Judge Joanne Tracey for sentencing submissions after pleading guilty to a range of child exploitation offences.

Prosecutor Hannah Bird told the court the “inherently serious” charges meant an immediate custodial sentence would be “the only appropriate penalty”.

“In total, the defendant was also in possession of 1107 files of child exploitation material … Some involved the penetration of children from the ages of two to four,” Ms Bird said.

“Unless Your Honour is satisfied that special reasons exist, a home detention order must not be made – and any sentence of imprisonment must not be suspended.

“The importance of protecting the community – and in particular children – from the corruption and sexual exploitation … the courts must assume paramountcy in sentencing exercise.”

In June, Reed, from Huntfield Heights, pleaded guilty to communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity, seven counts of disseminate child exploitation material and knowingly be in possession of child exploitation material.

He was arrested during an early-morning sting in March outside a public toilet block after he was found inside a public cubicle.

Upon his first court appearance he appeared from hospital via video, nursing broken ribs and a punctured lung suffered during his arrest.

A police prosecutor said Reed started communicating with an undercover police officer online, stating he was a “46-year-old bisexual from Adelaide’s south” who would “love to f**k a 13-year-old girl”.

On Monday, defence counsel for Reed acknowledged Ms Bird’s submissions, and agreed an immediate custodial term “was appropriate”.

“Mr Reed does not shy away from the seriousness of the offending before the court,” she said.

The matter was adjourned to November for further submissions.

Originally published as Huntfield Heights man Lance Reed had more than 1100 child abuse files, some including toddlers, court told