A Launceston man continued downloading child abuse material while on bail for similar offending, amassing thousands of images and videos across devices in his home, a court has heard.
Lee Anthony Jenkins, 50, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material accessed through a carriage service and two counts of breaching bail.
Police first searched his home in August 2024, seizing five devices containing 390 images and 50 videos.
The court heard most of the material was in the most serious category and depicted real prepubescent children.
Jenkins was charged and released on bail with conditions restricting his internet and device use.
But in December 2025, while still on bail, police searched his home again.
They found six more devices containing 3,221 images and 22 videos, again mostly in the most serious category.
Justice Robert Pearce said some of the material showed children as young as toddlers being subjected to “vile” sexual abuse.
The court heard Jenkins used a dark web browser and searched for the material. He refused to cooperate with police during both searches.
Justice Pearce said the offending was motivated by sexual gratification and Jenkins had shown little genuine remorse.
He was assessed as being at a high-to-moderate risk of reoffending.
Jenkins had no relevant prior convictions and had worked for more than 12 years as a disability support worker, as well as a teacher’s aide.
Justice Pearce said it was “obvious” he would never work in such a role again.
“By accessing the material you supported the market for the continued corruption, degradation and exploitation of children all over the world,” the judge told Jenkins.
Jenkins was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, backdated to December 10, 2025.
He will be released after serving 16 months on a $2,000 good behaviour bond and must report as a sex offender for eight years after his release.
