International child pornography network: Cape Town man sentenced
THE Wynberg Regional Court has sentenced a city man to 10 years’ imprisonment on child pornography charges.
Clinton Mark Calder, a broker from Fish Hoek, was convicted on more than 3 000 counts of distributing child pornography, importation of child pornography and creation of child pornography.
Two years of his sentence were suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted under the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act and the Films and Publications Act.
“He was convicted on 3 195 counts of possession of child pornography, a count of distributing child pornography, a count of importation of child pornography and a count of creation of child pornography.
“Calder started his criminal activities on September 23, 2014, until June 7, 2015. He was arrested on August 31, 2015,” spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Eric Ntabazalila said.
In court, it came to light that the investigation was sparked in South Africa after a Belgian investigator contacted local police.
According to a report by Cape Argus sister paper the Cape Times, investigating officer Sergeant Delene Grobler said she received a request from Chief Inspector Tim van Eester from Antwerp to investigate Calder.
Van Eester, at the time, was linked to Operation Cloud 9, which was involved in probing child pornography and which suspected Calder of the possession, manufacturing and distribution of child pornography.
The court heard that Calder was part of a group of offenders who were not easily detected and apprehended.
Calder was in possession of 3 215 child abuse images.
“The voluminous collection of the child abuse material perpetuated the offences against the child victims depicted in these child abuse images and videos The child abuse that is depicted in the images includes sexual exploitation, sexual violation and sexual penetration of children.
“The images and videos establish the numerous violations of the rights of the children to privacy, dignity and bodily integrity, as depicted,” the prosecutors submitted to the court.
They further submitted that it was important to note Calder had never, in his evidence, viewed or explained the child abuse material.
Calder referred to his collection and downloading of pornography as “nonsense” and “silly things”.
“He was diagnosed with a paedophilic … It is the State’s submission that this evaluation escalates the risk of re-offending of the appellant.”
The prosecutors said that at the time of his arrest Calder tried to get rid of his laptop. That indicated his blatant disregard for the enforcement of law and his need to hide his complicity in the sexual exploitation of children worldwide.
“The NPA welcomes the sentence as it indicates its commitment in the fight for the rights of children which are guaranteed in the South African Constitution,” Ntabazalila said.