The material was described in court as being “highly depraved”. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This story refers to child abuse and child sexual abuse material
A man’s online possession and distribution of child abuse material has been condemned in sentencing as “highly depraved, grotesque” and an “affront to morality and decency”.
Police executed a search warrant in April 2024 at Taylor James Wake’s Downer home, where they found a range of child abuse material after searching several devices.
Wake, 28, faced the ACT Supreme Court on Friday (12 September) for sentencing on several charges relating to the possession, transmission and solicitation of the material.
He was also being sentenced for failing in his reporting obligations.
During sentencing, Justice Louise Taylor said his seeking out of the material “directly contributes to its production, which “unequivocally exploits and harms children”.
The court heard that more than 250 children of different ages were depicted in the content, which includes video and images.
Wake also exchanged written messages about the material with other people.
“The conduct must be denounced and the community must be protected from it,” Justice Taylor said.
Wake cooperated with the police investigation, including giving them information about his online accounts.
The court also heard details of a clinical psychologist’s assessment of Wake, which argued that his mental illness, autism and ADHD diagnoses partially mitigated his offending.
“The offender’s capacity to control his conduct was weakened,” Justice Taylor said of the findings.
The report author found Wake struggled to fully understand moral and legal consequences, and also had difficulties in social settings.
He had accessed the material from July 2022 to April 2024, when he was arrested.
Wake also used cryptocurrency to pay for some of the material, which was described as being of “an extensive quantity”.
“The offender’s MEGA [software that can be used for sharing encrypted files] folder contained 2446 files, organised into 45 folders … the Crown determined a precise number could not be determined.”
The court also heard Wake had finished Year 12 and worked for a time in the fast-food industry.
Justice Taylor said there needed to be a term of imprisonment following the offending, and the community’s safety had to be prioritised.
“[The behaviour was] inflicted upon the many children depicted on the child abuse material from which he engaged,” she said.
She said she held concerns around his rehabilitation, describing him as having “limited insight and remorse” into his behaviour.
For the nine offences, she sentenced Wake to a total of about nine years and eight months’ imprisonment. His non-parole period will finish in February 2030.
These were backdated to account for time in custody since April 2024. It was also reduced for Wake’s early guilty pleas and his assistance to law enforcement.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
You can also submit an online report about a historical sexual assault allegation for incidents that occurred more than six months ago.
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