Bestselling author sentenced to prison

Craig Silvey, the 44-year-old author of Jasper Jones, was sentenced on Monday to seven months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to distributing and possessing depraved child exploitation material.

Silvey publishes lengthy apology

The author posted a nine thousand word apology on his Substack titled My Apology, saying he was appalled and mortified by his conduct and deeply, profoundly sorry.

“I am guilty of these offences. I am appalled and mortified by my conduct, and I am deeply, profoundly sorry.”

Silvey acknowledges the harm caused

Silvey wrote that his engagement with the material was reprehensible and indefensible, re-traumatising to victims and perpetuating a cycle of harm. He betrayed the trust of thousands of readers.

“I want to acknowledge that my engagement with this material is reprehensible and indefensible.”

Police found explicit material on devices

Officers raided Silvey's home in Fremantle and found numerous sexually explicit photos and videos of children and adults on his laptop and mobile phone.

Author discussed abuse in online messages

Silvey engaged in online conversations with someone he believed shared his interest in child exploitation material, saying he preferred boys older than five and that eight was the perfect age.

“eight was the perfect age”