Bartlett man sentenced on 63 counts of possessing child pornography
The man downloaded the pictures while browsing the dark web.
Eben van Coller of Bartlett was sentenced to an R40 000 fine or 18 months behind bars on April 24 at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court, after pleading guilty to and being found guilty of 63 charges of possessing child pornography.
The 25-year-old was further sentenced to another 18 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, and declared unfit to possess a firearm.
His name will also be entered into the National Register of Sex Offenders. The 63 counts were taken together for the purposes of sentencing.
He pleaded guilty and was found guilty on the day of sentencing.
Van Coller admitted he hid a memory stick containing 63 images of child pornography in his car.
His explanation to the court was that as part of a computer course he was doing he had to go onto the “dark web”. It was during this time he learned that the dark web is not, per se, illegal.
In February last year, he clicked on an invitation and then saw child pornography images, which he said he downloaded because he was “curious”.
Van Coller stated his actions were wrong and he knew he had no permission or right to download child pornography.
At the time of sentencing, he was in his final year of studying towards a B.Com degree and was paying for his studies by working as a part-time boiler maker in Germiston.
Magistrate Shilubana presided and prosecutor Mulungwa represented the State.
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