Group slams child sex sentence

Alex de Vos
A peak victims lobby group has lashed out at a three-month suspended sentence given to a child sex offender.
Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara said he was “disgusted” with the sentence handed down by Magistrate Stephen Myall on June 23.
Highton’s Gwyn Williams, 54, faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court charged with possessing more than 3000 images of child pornography and producing and importing child pornography.
Williams received three months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 12 months and was listed on the sex offender’s register for 15 years.
He was also placed on a community-based order for one year.
Mr McNamara said the sentence was “absolutely ridiculous”.
He said the verdict offered no protection against re-offending.
He also feared the sentence had set a precedent for judgment of other child sex offenders.
“Being placed on the sex offender’s register won’t stop them from re-offending,” Mr McNamara said.
“People who commit a violent or serious crime are getting suspended sentences but it shouldn’t happen.
“A crime like that – a sexual offence should have put him in jail for at least 10 years – we demand accountability for the justice system.”
Media reports said the images found on Williams’ computer were of “a vile, disgusting and obscene nature”.
Police prosecutor acting sergeant Rob Allen told the court the images were “some of the worst that can be, and that should be reflected in the sentence.”
Andrew George, for Williams, said a punishment in the form of a community-based order had been suggested at an earlier hearing and he asked the magistrate to consider alternatives to a jail sentence.
“A community based order, with conviction obviously, would be appropriate,” Mr George said.
Geelong detective senior constable Simon Keogh said the Department of Public Prosecutions had lodged an appeal against Williams’ sentence.
A Department of Public Prosecutions spokesperson confirmed Williams was on their records but could not comment on the case.