Trial begins for man accused of trying to import $400 child-like sex doll

A trial has begun for a man accused of attempting to import a $400 child-like sex doll to his home address in Canberra.

Jeffrey Scott Deacon, 28, is fighting a charge alleging he tried to import prohibited goods.

At the ACT Supreme Court trial’s opening on Monday (15 November), Crown prosecutor Ken Archer told the jury that a box came into Australia around September 2020 which was intercepted by Border Force and discovered to contain a sex doll that had “the features of a child”.

In a photo shown to jurors, the doll could be seen standing on its feet next to an investigator, only coming up to the man’s waist. It was bald with no clothing.

Footage screened to the court showed the doll being taken out of its box by a Border Force investigator. It came with what the investigator said appeared to be underwear and wigs.

Mr Archer said the box was addressed to Mr Deacon, containing his name as well as where he lived in Kambah.

Police raided his home on 1 October 2020, but he had already left for work. He was later found at his job in Fyshwick.

Mr Archer said police searched his phone and allegedly found he had visited a website where he ordered a sex doll.

The doll was described as a “100 cm young sex doll – bunny” that cost $428. Email confirmation of the order was allegedly sent by a company in China to him and an image of it.

Mr Archer said it was unknown whether that picture in the email was of the same doll that came to Australia. However, he alleged as there were such similarities between that doll and the one that did arrive in the country, it suggested that “what Mr Deacon ordered was what he got”.

He also alleged it was “obvious” what he ordered represented someone under the age of 18.

Mr Archer said when police interviewed Mr Deacon, he admitted he ordered a sex doll but thought it was an “adult one”. He also said he had been looking online to find the cheapest doll.

Mr Deacon’s legal team did not address jurors during the opening.

Jurors will get to see the doll for themselves as the court heard it will assist with their deliberations.

The trial continues before Justice David Mossop.