Paedophile caught with child exploitation material won’t teach children again, court hears

A South Australian relief teacher who was busted with 46 videos and images of child exploitation material will never teach children again, a court has heard.

Dylan McCrossin, 39, has pleaded guilty to three offences relating to possessing child exploitation material and is awaiting sentencing in the South Australian District Court.

Prosecutor Amy Fisher told the court that most of the material was in the worst categories for child abuse.

She said McCrossin was arrested last June and police seized his laptop and desktop computer, before they uncovered 46 videos and images of child abuse material.

Ms Fisher called for McCrossin to be jailed for the offences, which were “not victimless”.

But Craig Caldicott, for McCrossin, asked Judge Ian Press to suspend any jail term or order it be served on home detention.

He told the court that his client had “stuffed up his life” as his registration to teach has been cancelled by South Australia’s Teacher Registration Board.

“He’s remorseful.

“He’s let himself down by what he’s done, he’s let down his family, he’s let down his colleagues and he’s let down the community.”

He said McCrossin was “sexualised at a young age” and escaped that by playing games online.

“His online gaming was classified as an addiction,” he said.

“He’s got a difficulty interacting with some adults.”

Mr Caldicott said a psychologist had classified McCrossin as a paedophile and he would be placed on child sex offender register.

Judge Press will sentence McCrossin in April.