McCormack judge says charges ‘at lower end’
BEN McCormack sought professional help for his sexual interest in young boys because he was full of “self-loathing”, a court heard yesterday.
It was revealed the former A Current Affair journalist had approached psychologists for help before he was charged with child porn offences.
Judge Paul Conlon told McCormack’s sentencing hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre District that McCormack “sought professional assistance for what he knew was wrong” and the “self-loathing” it caused for many years.
The Crown is seeking a custodial sentence for the 43-year-old but Judge Conlon put it to the prosecutor the offences were at the lower end of the scale and the agreed facts were not “typical” of the sort of child porn charges normally seen in court.
The court heard the offending took place when McCormack was drunk and would need to satisfy his sexual urges.
His lawyer, Sam Macedone, said McCormack had twice attempted to take his own life – partly due to the shame he had brought on his family.
His reputation had “been destroyed”, Mr Macedone said.
Judge Conlon adjourned the sentencing so he could read the Crown and defence submissions. McCormack will be sentenced on December 6.
In September, McCormack pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to transmit child pornography.
A police fact sheet revealed disturbing conversations between him and a West Australian pedophile.