Darwin man jailed for possessing more than 5000 child abuse images

A man has been jailed for possessing more than 5000 child abuse images, including some sexually explicit ones of toddlers.

The 41-year-old from Darwin pleaded guilty to 11 offences — including producing, accessing and possessing child abuse material — and was yesterday sentenced to a maximum of six years imprisonment.

He will be eligible for parole in April 2027 after already serving a year behind bars.

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An investigation began last year when the Australian Federal Police received 49 reports from the United States' National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children about someone in the Northern Territory sending child abuse material on social media.

Both state and federal police were able to link the actions to the 41-year-old man.

Investigators said they found more than 5000 images of toddlers and young victims stored on the man's mobile devices and SD card.

He was arrested and charged in September last year.

In June this year, the man pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing child abuse material using a carriage service, four counts of accessing child abuse material using a carriage service, one count of producing child abuse material and one count of failing to comply with a 3LA order.

Federal police superintendent Greg David said the creation, sharing and possession of child abuse material was abhorrent and had long-lasting impacts on victimised children.

"Investigations such as this should serve as a serious warning that law enforcement has zero tolerance for child exploitation and child sexual abuse in any form," he said.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.