Man upfront about porn

A WONGA beach man has taken it on himself to prove to a jury he did not knowingly keep 16 written stories about the violent rape of children.

The defendant was indicted on a charge of possessing child exploitation material in March last year but at the 11th hour fired his lawyer and barrister in Cairns District Court on Friday.

He has pleaded not guilty and will cross-examine witnesses, including his wife and son.

The court yesterday heard police from Brisbane’s Task Force Argos and the Cairns Child Protection Unit searched the accused man’s residence on February 11, 2017, where they found a laptop containing about 10,000 legal pornographic images and more than 300 legal pornographic videos.

It is alleged that among the stash were 16 written stories involving violence against children. One, called Archery Club, contained a warning that “the following is a written work of erotic fiction depicting the … multiple torture rapes of a preteen girl”.

The court was played audio of the police search, during which the defendant – upfront about his porn collection – denied possessing any material involving children.

“You’ll see all the porn that I look at … there is nothing in relation to what you are looking for,” he said.

During a video played to court of an interview at Mossman police station, the defendant said he used his laptop for browsing pornography, politics and social issues.

“It is a modern-day Penthouse magazine,” he said.

“If you think I am an active person (looking for child pornography) then by all means arrest me.

“Bring the charges and we will go to court.”

The trial continues.