Former journalist fronts Launceston court over alleged child abuse material charges

A former journalist and primary school teacher was arrested and charged with allegedly possessing child abuse material following a joint federal and state police operation.

Former journalist Damien Brown, 44, appeared at the Launceston Magistrates Court after being charged with allegedly possessing or controlling child abuse material. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

A Catholic primary school teacher and former journalist fronted court on Wednesday after he was arrested and charged with allegedly possessing child exploitation material.

Damien Brown, 44, was arrested and charged with allegedly possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service following a joint federal and state police operation.

Mr Brown, of Riverside, has not yet entered a plea to the charges and appeared at the Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

In an statement from police on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson said Mr Brown was arrested and charged after members of the Tasmania Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), which includes the High-Risk Child Exploitation Unit (Tasmania Police) and the Australian Federal Police, executed search warrants at a private residence at Riverside on Tuesday.

Former journalist Damien Brown appeared at the Launceston Magistrates Court after being charged with allegedly possessing or controlling child abuse material. Picture: Supplied

Officers alleged devices containing child abuse material were located during the search.

Before becoming a teaching assistant and primary school teacher, Mr Brown was a former journalist for the ABC, The Mercury, The Advocate newspaper, and Seven News Tasmania.

Mr Brown is an intern teacher at St Thomas More’s, a Catholic primary school in Launceston.

Defence lawyer Abby Zizek applied for an adjournment of Mr Brown’s case without plea and made an application for bail which was unopposed by the DPP.

Magistrate Sharon Cure granted Mr Brown bail and adjourned proceedings until November 12 at 9.45am.

A Catholic Education Tasmania spokesperson confirmed that a CET employee appeared before the courts for alleged possession of child exploitation material on Wednesday.

When directly asked about the employment status of Mr Brown, CET refused to answer.

The spokesperson said CET were “co-operating with Tasmania Police and the appropriate regulatory bodies and were undertaking appropriate internal investigations”.

“We wish to assure parents and all CET staff that our priority remains on the well-being, safety and support of our students and staff,” the spokesperson said.