World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Australian author Craig Silvey sentenced to seven months in prison
Australian author Craig Silvey was sentenced to seven months in prison on two charges involving child exploitation material.
The 44-year-old was sentenced at Western Australia’s District Court in Perth on November 2.
The charges were for possessing and distributing the material, which the court said contributed to harm and trauma for the children depicted.
The judge said Silvey had used online messages to engage with others and sexually satisfy himself.
Silvey’s lawyer said the case had led to lost book and film contracts and intense public scrutiny.
His sentence is backdated to October 22, when he first went into custody.
He is eligible for parole.
Australian author Craig Silvey was sentenced to seven months in prison after pleading guilty to distributing and possessing child exploitation material.
The 44-year-old was sentenced on Monday in Western Australia.
Police found category one photos and videos on his laptop and mobile phone during a raid on his Fremantle home, a court heard.
A judge described the offending as very serious and very disturbing.
Two further charges of producing and possessing child exploitation material were dropped in May.
- Who
- Australian author Craig Silvey.
- What
- He was sentenced to seven months in prison after pleading guilty to distributing and possessing child exploitation material.
- When
- Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Western Australia. Police raided Silvey’s home in Fremantle.
- Why
- He pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing child exploitation material.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Silvey pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing child exploitation material.
Two further charges of producing and possessing child exploitation material were dropped.
Silvey was sentenced to seven months in prison.
- Sentence
- Seven months in prison
- Age
- 44
- Home
- Fremantle, Western Australia
- Court
- Western Australian district court
- Dropped charges
- Two charges of producing and possessing further child exploitation material
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What people are saying
This offending involves children and it is destructive and it is devastating
This offending involves children and it is destructive and it is devastating