A Tasmanian man who claimed he was “tracking down” paedophiles has been jailed after police found more than 2,800 child exploitation images and videos on his phones.
Joshua James Donnelly, 27, told officers he was taking screenshots of usernames to expose offenders through a Facebook group.
But Supreme Court Justice Tamara Jago said investigators found no evidence to support that claim.
“I sentence on the basis that this was not a truthful account, but rather was a contrived excuse designed to justify your appalling criminal conduct,” she said.
Donnelly came to police attention in December 2020 when the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET) detected uploads of child abuse material to an online messaging platform traced to his home.
When officers executed a search warrant, he immediately admitted having the material on his phone.
A forensic analysis of two Samsung phones seized from his bedroom revealed files showing children as young as two to four years old being sexually abused.
Donnelly told police he used the messaging app Kik to find groups trading in child exploitation material – some with up to 100 members.
He admitted sending explicit images of minors on about 20 occasions to gain access.
He also used the anonymous chat site Omegle and a virtual private network (VPN) to find and share more material.
Justice Jago said the content was “of a serious and depraved nature”, with some videos showing children in visible distress.
The court heard Donnelly had a troubled upbringing marked by family dysfunction and social isolation.
A psychologist reported symptoms consistent with autism and post-traumatic stress.
Justice Jago accepted those factors played a part but said deterrence had to remain the main consideration.
“The collection and possession of child exploitation material creates a market which encourages and provides a reason for the production of such material,” she said.
Donnelly pleaded guilty to possession, accessing and distribution offences.
He was sentenced to 15 months in prison and must serve at least half before being eligible for parole.
He will remain on the sex offender register for five years after his release.
