Qld: Internet man keen for day in court
By David Barbeler18 Dec 2008 11:56 AM
MAROOCHYDORE, Qld, Dec 18 AAP - A man charged over a video of another man swinging a baby around like a rag doll, says he'd be happy with a trial by jury.
Christopher Charles Illingworth, 60, of Maroochydore, briefly appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with two counts of using a carriage service to transmit child abuse material.
His lawyer Chelsea Emery told the court the matter would be strenuously defended.
The case was adjourned to February 19, 2009, to allow the prosecution to gather more evidence.
The freelance journalist and father of four allegedly shared the video using the website Liveleak, a site similar to YouTube but mainly carrying short videos relating to news and current affairs.
Illingworth's home was raided in November by police officers from Taskforce Argos, which targets child pornography and abuse.
Illingworth was not involved in making the three-minute video, which is understood to have originally been uploaded by a Russian circus performer.
It features a man in a lounge room swinging what is believed to be a nine-month-old baby boy.
Illingworth told AAP outside court he would defend the charges.
"My name and health has been damaged - I'm going to do something about this," he said.
"If anything, I want this to go to trial by jury - 12 adults, 12 parents are going to see the stupidity of this.
"Bring it on, bring it on with all your might."
He said supporters had raised around $500,000 to cover his legal costs.
Ms Emery told AAP outside court the case had wide implications for all internet users.
"I've not heard of anyone being charged with anything similar to this before," she said.
"It's a very unusual case - it potentially presents enormous difficulties for internet users."
