Disgraced Australian current affairs reporter, Ben McCormack has avoided jail time for child sex charges.
McCormack, 43, was instead sentenced to a three year good behaviour bond and fined $1000 this morning after the Sydney court heard he was a victim of child sexual abuse himself.
The Daily Mail Australia reports McCormack had pleaded guilty to two counts of transmitting child pornography material in September when, over more than 18 months, he sent text messages fantasising about sex with children to a West Australian primary school teacher over Skype.
Court facts showed McCormack described himself as a 'proud Ped' who 'loves young bs' in the messages, Daily Mail reports.
Police did not allege there was any evidence of McCormack exchanging child pornography pictures or video, only words.
Judge Conlon described McCormack's offending as being at the 'lowest' end of the scale as the offending is not typical of the charge.
The judge reportedly said the lack of a child being directly exploited or treated cruelly impacted his decision.
Newshub.
