An Australian man has been convicted of possessing child sex dolls under new laws to combat abuse against minors.
Terry Dunnett, 45, pleaded guilty Wednesday in District Court in Brisbane to two counts of possessing a child sex doll, one count of attempting to possess a child sex doll and possessing child exploitation material, abc.net.au reported.
The Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team in Queensland began investigating Dunnett in January 2020 after the Australian Border Force detected an “anatomically-correct doll” in a shipment from China addressed to him.
When officers raided his Brisbane home, they discovered two other girl dolls depicting ages estimated to be between 4 and 5 years old, according to the news outlet.
The man was found guilty of two counts of possessing a child-like sex doll or other object that resembles a child (or part of a child) under 18. Australian Federal PoliceDunnett’s laptop also contained child exploitation material, officials said.
He told investigators he had bought the dolls online between 2014 and 2020.
More of the child sex dolls found in Terry Dunnett’s possession. Australian Federal PoliceProsecutors sought a jail sentence, but Dunnett’s lawyer argued that a community-based sentence would be appropriate after a psychologist determined he was a “low risk” of actually committing a crime against a child.
Judge Orazio Rinaudo sentenced Dunnett to two years behind bars, but then ordered his immediate release under probation supervision.
Terry Dunnett’s laptop in his home also had child exploitation material on it, officials said. Australian Federal PoliceThe judge said it was “a heinous crime to be involved in the exploitation of children,” adding that such offenses could cause “desensitization” to child sexual abuse.
“They are life-like dolls depicting female children with cavities,” Rinaudo said. “I’m satisfied that you now understand that possession of these dolls and other items was wrong.”
