A Victorian man who turned himself in to police after finding what he thought was child pornography on a mobile phone that he stole has been jailed, despite being praised by the magistrate.
The man was granted name suppression after appearing in the Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday over the theft of two mobile phones and a wallet, The Courier reported.
Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said the man needed to be congratulated after his actions led to a 46-year-old man being charged with child pornography offences.
"You are to be commended for your conduct even though it placed you at jeopardy of losing your own liberty,” she said.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Kent said the man had stolen the wallet and two phones last October after noticing a car window had not been wound up.
But after finding what he believed was child pornography on the phone, he took it to Ballarat Police Station, where police warned him that he may be charged with theft.
Despite the warning, the man was prepared to hand himself in if it helped police with their investigations.
The man pleaded guilty to charges, including theft and theft of a motor vehicle over a separate incident last year.
"We don’t want to discourage other like-minded people to act in the manner you have," she said.
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