Bonner man admits to keeping child abuse material on his computer

Scott Ian Whittaker (left) dons a facemask when leaving the ACT Courts with his lawyer. Photo: Region Media.

A Bonner man has admitted he kept sickening files of children being abused on a computer.

Scott Ian Whittaker, 38, was arrested earlier this year after police found files of child abuse material in his possession.

In March, ACT Policing said an investigation was initiated by its Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation before a search warrant was executed in Fyshwick and Bonner on 22 March.

Police said the search uncovered a computer containing files of child abuse material and two registered firearms that had been stored incorrectly.

Whittaker was charged with possessing child abuse material accessed using a carriage service, possessing child exploitation material and failing to store firearms correctly.

At the time, police said further charges were expected to be laid.

Whittaker appeared in person when his case was heard in the ACT Magistrates Court for the first time on Tuesday (6 April).

Magistrate James Stewart read out the three charges and Whittaker entered three pleas of guilty, including admitting to keeping child abuse material on his computer.

Magistrate Stewart continued Whittaker’s bail and adjourned the matter for committal to 3 May. He faces a maximum of 15 years’ jail.

ACT Policing said if you have information about people involved in the possession or sharing of child exploitation material, you can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button, which can be found by clicking here.