Ashley Duffill: Butler man faces more charges over alleged online child abuse and bestiality after police raid

A northern suburbs man is facing more online child abuse charges and new allegations related to bestiality after police examined his computer and mobile phone. Ashley Stephen Duffill, of Butler, was charged earlier this year with three counts of possessing online child abuse material. But this week the 35-year-old was hit with a further two related charges and three connected to bestiality material in a joint operation between WA Police and Australian Federal Police. The WA Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team, comprising WA Police and the AFP, laid the initial three charges, and Mr Duffill first appeared in court on March 26. “Following further investigations and examination of a computer and mobile phone seized from the man, police have summonsed him for an additional five offences,” the AFP said in a statement on Friday. “He will face a total of eight charges when he appears in court again.” Inquiries began when the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation received information as part of an investigation into people allegedly transmitting child abuse material online. WA JACET allegedly linked Mr Duffill to the illegal activity and arrested the man at his home on March 25. Investigators located five devices, including mobile phones and computers, which allegedly contained videos of child abuse material. The new charges, which Mr Duffill will face in the Commonwealth Magistrates Court on July 4 along with the initial charges, include using a carriage service to access child abuse material and using a similar service to transmit child abuse material. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ jail. The bestiality accusations relate to two counts of possessing objectionable material (bestiality) contrary to the WA Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1996. The maximum penalty for this offence is 18 months’ jail or a $15,000 fine. He is also accused of transmitting objectionable material (bestiality), which carries the same maximum penalty of 18 months’ prison or a $15,000 fine. If people have information to help police, report it to the Australia Centre to Counter Child Exploitation or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The centre brings together specialist expertise and skills in a central hub, supporting investigations into online child sexual exploitation and developing prevention strategies focused on creating a safer online environment. People with information about anyone allegedly involved in child abuse are urged to contact ACCCE. If you know abuse is happening, or a child is at risk, call police on 000. If you, or someone you know, is affected by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available. Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found on the ThinkUKnow website, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.