Robert Raymond Marriott: Mandurah man allegedly had more than 18,000 child abuse-related photos and videos

A Mandurah man already charged with possessing child abuse material has faced the Perth Magistrates Court on more child abuse-related offences. The WA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team charged Robert Raymond Marriott with another five offences on Thursday after a forensic review of his seized devices allegedly uncovered more than 18,000 photos and videos depicting the exploitation and abuse of children. Investigators from WA JACET, which comprises AFP and WA Police Force, initially charged the 40-year-old, of Coodanup, in March after executing a search warrant at his former Gosnells home. During the search, investigators located several electronic devices, including a computer hard drive and mobile phone, which allegedly contained child abuse material. The electronic devices were seized for further forensic examination. Mr Marriott was initially charged with three counts of possessing child abuse material. He first appeared in Perth Magistrates Court in April and was released on bail. His devices were reviewed and he was arrested to appear in court on August 23 where he was granted bail with conditions and a $5000 personal undertaking. The review of the electronic devices allegedly revealed the large amount of child abuse material as well as evidence he shared some of the files. He has also been charged with two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, two counts of accessing child abuse material and one count of an aggravated offence. The maximum penalty for each of the offences is 15 years jail. AFP Det. Sgt Karen Addiscott said the AFP worked closely with local and international law enforcement partners to protect children from harm. “Every time child abuse material is viewed, it perpetuates the cycle of abuse against these children,” she said. “Our message to online offenders has not changed — if you possess child abuse material, you will be found, arrested and prosecuted.” The AFP and its partners are committed to stopping child exploitation and abuse and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is driving a collaborative national approach to combatting child abuse. The ACCCE brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment. Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000. If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available. Research conducted by the ACCCE in 2020 revealed only about half of parents talked to their children about online safety. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found on the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation. For more information on the role of the ACCCE, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit the ACCCE website.