A former Queensland primary school teacher has been spared time behind bars despite possessing and accessing child pornography.
In June 2015, the home of teacher, Maximilian Ernst Hodgess, 45, was raided by police, who found more than 4,000 images of child pornography.
Hodgess – who faced the Brisbane District Court on Thursday – had initially denied possessing the images.
However, a software check on his computer uncovered them, and he subsequently handed over a flash drive containing the files.
He pleaded guilty to one count each of using a carriage service to access child pornography material and possessing child exploitation material. The court heard there was no suggestion Hodgess was creating or distributing the material.
Judge Terry Martin sentenced Hodgess to jail terms of 18 and 12 months respectively, however he ordered that the former teacher be released immediately to resume the “long road” to rehabilitation.
“You have lost your career as a teacher, your reputation is ruined, and you will be publicly shamed. You have done, and are doing, all that you can to rehabilitate yourself,” Martin said.
“You have genuine prospects of succeeding in rehabilitation even though it will be a long road.”
The court heard there was no suggestion Hodgess was creating or distributing the material.
Hodgess is no longer employed as a teacher and is studying accountancy.