CDU honours student Jackson Ranasinghe to spend just 21 more days in jail after pleading guilty to child porn charges

An engineering honours student caught with more than 4000 child abuse files will only be behind bars for just 21 more days before being allowed to resume his studies online in home detention.

AN engineering honours student caught with more than 4000 child abuse files will only be behind bars for 21 days before being allowed to resume his studies online in home detention.

Jackson Ranasinghe, 24, was sentenced to remain in prison until August 26 after pleading guilty to five counts of accessing or obtaining the material in May.

From August 26, he will be put on a six month home detention order alongside an 18 month good behaviour bond.

Each of the charges carried a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment, meaning he could have been jailed for 75 years.

Ranasinghe was said to have an addictive personality and had struggled with substances such as cannabis, pills and alcohol from an early age.

Justice Jenny Blokland in her sentencing, however, suggested the defendant’s guilty plea, his age and his studies in an important field made him someone appropriate for rehabilitation.

“You are currently enrolled in an engineering degree which shows you are someone of great intelligence,” Ms Blokland said.

“You currently work as a sole trader doing photography and videography, but since your offending became public, demand in your services has diminished.

“It is a terrible thing you and others have done, knowingly contributing to child exploitation by creating demand for these images.

“Most images were not in the higher categories but all images and videos represent serious exploitation of children.

“I do however, consider your prospects in the future are good, you were previously someone of good character and pleaded guilty to all counts.”

Jackson Ranasinghe will spend just 21 more days behind bars over child porn charges.

Ranasinghe, who was remanded in custody earlier this week, appeared in the dock and was represented by his lawyer Shane McMaster.

He was also joined in court by his mother and father, both of whom he waved to on arrival.

During the sentencing, Ms Blokland paraphrased statements from the offender’s mother, partner, sister, sister’s partner and university lecturer.

“(Your mother) obviously loves and supports you and describes you as extremely intelligent,” Ms Blokland said.

“She describes the offending from her point of view as abhorrent, disgusting and vile, almost unforgivable, but of course she will forgive you.

“She has been mortified for the offending and any reasonable person would sympathise with her. She has seen you become remorseful as you have begun to understand the gravity of the offending.”

As part of Ranasinghe’s home detention order, he will be under the ongoing supervision of a probation and parole officer.

He will be unable to leave his known residence except for times and periods prescribed, and will not be allowed to drink alcohol or take illicit drugs.