Craig Silvey, the creator of the bestseller Jasper Jones, has been charged with possessing and distributing baby exploitation materials.
The Australian creator, 43, is finest recognized for his second novel Jasper Jones, which was launched in 2009 and bought greater than half 1,000,000 copies earlier than being became a movie, starring distinguished actors together with Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving.
As one of many nation’s most famous authors, his books have additionally been efficiently bought world wide.
Nonetheless, the creator in the present day appeared in court docket in his hometown of Perth, Western Australia, after being charged by police.
After a search warrant was served at his residence on Monday, detectives arrested the daddy of three and seized his digital gadgets earlier than charging him with possession and distribution of kid exploitation materials.
He appeared within the Fremantle Justice of the Peace’s Court docket earlier in the present day, native time. He was not required to enter a plea as native media reported that he “confirmed no emotion and seemed down for a lot of the listening to.”
Bail was opposed by the police prosecutor, who instructed the court docket that Silvey had didn’t cooperate with investigators and had engaged in on-line conversations during which he had expressed his sexual curiosity in kids, including that there was proof he had ‘supplied photographs’.
They added that the creator had used an grownup web site known as ‘Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy’.
Giving causes for resisting bail, police additionally stated Silvey had refused to provide detectives entry to his cell phone, desktop and different gadgets, and that they’d now utilized for a court docket order to take action.
The prosecutor stated Silvey “might hinder the investigation” and known as him a “flight threat.”
However lawyer Amir Murad stated Silvey didn’t have a passport and will reside at a residential handle aside from his own residence.
Justice of the Peace Thomas Corridor made his ruling, granting Silvey bail with each a $100,000 (£50,000) surety and a $100,000 private enterprise, however stated that ‘imprisonment was a probable final result’, as reported by the ABC.
Nonetheless, the ABC reported he failed to satisfy bail situations and was taken from court docket in a jail van.
As a part of the bail situations, Silvey was instructed he couldn’t depart Western Australia or be concerned with kids and will solely use the web for authorized recommendation, banking and medical functions.
Murad argued that it could be tough for the creator to keep away from the Web as he was self-employed.
Through the listening to the Justice of the Peace, who stated he had learn Silvey’s books, instructed him: ‘I’m certain you notice these are severe allegations.’
Following its launch, Jasper Jones was named the Australian E-book Trade Awards E-book of the 12 months Award and was additionally shortlisted for the Worldwide Dublin Literary Awards and the Miles Franklin Literary Award.
Silvey has additionally launched the books Rhubarb, Honeybee and Runt, the latter being a kids’s guide that was became a movie in 2024 starring Jai Courtney and Celeste Barber.
Though his books have been used as set texts by Australian faculties, WA Schooling Minister Sabine Winton has now stated they’d now be withdrawn whereas the creator was investigated.
“The character of those allegations is deeply regarding,” she stated, additionally reported by the BBC.
“I’ve requested the Division of Schooling to make sure that faculties cease utilizing Craig Silvey writing by the 2026 college 12 months whereas the allegations are investigated.”
Silvey will seem for the subsequent court docket listening to on February 10.
Do you will have a narrative?
In the event you’ve received a star story, video or footage get in contact with the Metro.co.uk leisure group by emailing [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Submissions web page. We might love to listen to from you.
Arrow
MORE: Below-16s in Britain might be banned from social media inside months
Arrow
MORE: Band shocked after public proposal is brutally rejected throughout live performance
Arrow
MORE: Australia reaches temperatures of 46.4C – and it is getting hotter
Reply now
Add Metro as a most popular supply on Google
