An ex-police officer nabbed with almost 200 files of child abuse material is trying to avoid jail, arguing he has already been punished by strangers visiting his home and vandalising his car.
The 23-year-old former constable, who cannot be legally named or identified because of the reported incidents at his Sydney home, has admitted to one count of possessing or controlling child abuse material.
After the then-officer's arrest in mid-2023, strangers graffitied his vehicle referring to his crime and work as a police officer.
Separately, a man appeared out of the blue at his door in an incident reported to police, the ex-constable's barrister Dev Bhutani told Parramatta District Court on Thursday.
“They are aspects that would have caused him to fear for his safety," Mr Bhutani said.
The then-officer was young at the time of the offending and did not specifically look for the type of material found in the 194 files he was caught with, he said.
"He's clicked on internet links, gone down certain paths, clicked on files and ended up in this place,” Mr Bhutani said.
The ex-officer had used a pre-occupation with sex to deal with the stress of starting a new job, embarking on a difficult career and beginning his journey into adulthood, he argued.
“His exposure to his work was part of the collective features of stress that led to this unhealthy stress outlet," Mr Bhutani told Judge Justin Smith.
The man lost his career at the police force after his arrest but showed good character by continuing to work and look after his family, the barrister added.
He resigned in October 2023 and pleaded guilty to the single charge in April.
The ex-officer sat in court supported by his sister, while a letter of support from his partner was presented.
While a jail sentence was mandatory given the charge, Mr Bhutani argued his client should be immediately released on a recognisance order.
This would mean the former constable would avoid going to jail because he has been out on bail since his arrest.
Crown prosecutor Vanessa Barros Goncalves said the 23-year-old was young at the time of his crime but should have known better because he was employed as a police officer.
Judge Smith agreed, saying the man would have come across offenders who dealt in child abuse material while on the force.
"He's enforcing the law against them and then he goes and does it itself," he said.
Ms Barros Goncalves acknowledged the man had experienced extra punishment with strangers at his home and the vandalised vehicle but said any jail sentence should not be reduced as a result.
Judge Smith will sentence the former constable on Monday.
