Gas Works Unley boss Phil Andrews ‘terribly sorry’ for child exploitation offending, has bail revoked

A well-known Adelaide business owner and family man is behind bars after a court heard how an Instagram video led to “depraved” offending.

The former owner of an Unley gas business who pleaded guilty to buying “depraved” child sexual images has been taken into custody after asking a judge to revoke his bail.

Philip David Andrews, 53, appeared in the District Court on Thursday in front of Judge Anthony Allen – acknowledging “inevitable” jail time amid what the judge called “extremely serious” offending.

Andrews previously has pleaded guilty to nine counts of disseminating child exploitation material.

John Lyons, for Andrews, said his client had conceded he was going to jail, and was prepared to have his current bail conditions revoked.

“I won’t insult Your Honour’s intelligence – this is very serious offending,” Mr Lyons said.

“This type of offending is more than just criminal, it is a sickness – it’s something that has affected our society.

“I’ll make it very clear: my client knows he’s going to jail. He asks Your Honour to withdraw his bail and he’s prepared to go in immediately. He doesn’t want to put off the inevitable.

“He has wanted to rid himself of these demons and to become a positive citizen. He is – for all intents and purposes – a good man. In a nutshell, he’s just so terribly sorry.”

Adelaide businessman Philip David Andrews pleaded guilty to disseminating child exploitation material. Picture: 7NEWS

He was taken into custody. Picture: 7NEWS

Judge Allen said the offences were “extraordinarily serious”.

“This is extremely serious offending and the content of the majority of the material is depraved to be extreme,” he said.

“He has led an otherwise productive and positive life but he’s thrown it all away.”

Andrews, a father of three, was arrested at his Woodcroft home in March and charged with child exploitation material offences.

A court previously heard the businessman had been running Gas Works Unley for ten years and made several appearances on advertising videos.

A blurb for the company describes the business as family-owned, specialising in a range of services.

He was also a prominent figure in the Unley community – chairing the Unley Rd Traders Association’s monthly meetings and coaching junior sport, the court heard.

On Thursday, the prosecution said Andrews’ offending began after “watching dance videos of people of all ages” on Instagram.

Andrews was the owner of Gas Works Unley. Picture: 7NEWS

He was also a well-known business leader. Picture: 7NEWS

“He began reading the comments and one read ‘if you like this, click here’,” they said. “He alleges that he did that and it led him to the Telegram platform and an account popped up that said ‘hi, would you like to see more?’.

“In my submission, it is one thing to be deeply addicted to adult pornography and then transition to have an interest in the sexual abuse of extremely young children.

“His actions of purchasing and disseminating material show that he was a cog in the machine which facilitates the continued sexual abuse of the most vulnerable in our society.”

Andrews was taken into custody and will next appear later this month.

Originally published as Gas Works Unley boss Phil Andrews ‘terribly sorry’ for child exploitation offending, has bail revoked