What McCoole did and how he was caught

WHAT MCCOOLE WAS UP TO:

* Worked as childcare worker for state-run child protection agency Families SA where he abused young boys and girls in his care.

* At same time was administrator of a child pornography website connecting thousands of pedophiles around the world.

* Some of his uploads showed him sexually abusing children under his care and one titled "Merry Christmas" was presented as a gift to other members.

HOW HE WAS CAUGHT:

* Danish police discovered McCoole's child pornography content online and contacted Australian police.

* Images online were embedded with a serial number that matched McCoole's digital camera.

* Police found more than 53,000 child porn images and many videos found on his computer, including some showing him abusing children under his care.

WHAT JUDGE RICE SAID:

* "There are those who would describe your actions as sick, but I prefer evil and depraved."

* "What would incline you to do such a thing is far beyond my comprehension."

* "There is not in my view any case for which I can compare."

* "The impact on most of these children is not something in the past. It is in the present."