Man on list as sex offender

JANESSA EKERT

The court was told that Patten made frank admissions to police. He told officers he had uninstalled the programs and deleted the images on a number of occasions. He thought he was getting worse and had even terminated his internet.

Patten pleaded guilty to downloading, possessing and distributing child exploitation material.

Defence barrister Michael Dalton said his client had no criminal history.

“Your life has not been without some very big hurdles,” Judge Dean Morzone said. At age 23 Patten had been diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy.

The court was told that Patten had been diagnosed as suffering pedophilic disorder and had proactively sought extensive counselling. Patten was jailed for nine months but released on a $1000 two-year good behaviour bond. Convictions were recorded.