Best-selling Australian children’s author Craig Silvey admits possessing and distributing child exploitation material as judge allows his bail to be extended

Renowned children’s author Craig Silvey has pleaded guilty to child exploitation as his bail is extended.

The 43-year-old children’s book author, best known for writing national hits Jasper Jones and Runt, appeared in the Fremantle Magistrate’s Court, WA, on Tuesday and admitted one count each of possessing and distributing child exploitation material.

Two additional charges of possessing and producing child exploitation material were dismissed.

When asked by Magistrate Thomas Hall how he would plead, Silvey said: “Guilty, Your Honor.”

The offenses involved photographs and took place between January 7 and 9.

Prosecutors previously said Silvey, who has three young daughters, took photos of himself in his home office.

Police raided the home he shared with his wife and three young daughters in January and found him ‘actively dating’ child abusers online.

Court documents reveal he chatted with other pedophiles on adult sites under the alias ‘Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy’, telling them he was a ‘Fremantle man’ with ‘very similar interests’.

Craig Silvey (pictured with his wife) has been charged with possessing and sharing child abuse material

Craig Silvey is pictured reporting for bail in Fremantle, WA, in February

Text messages sent by Silvey were detailed in court: ‘Fremantle man here… Very similar interests’

Silvey initially refused to cooperate with the investigation and did not want to give the police access to his phone and laptop.

His bail continued until his sentencing on July 3.

In February, a magistrate granted Silvey’s request to report to Fremantle police station only twice a week, instead of three times a week.

Restrictions on his internet access were also relaxed, allowing him to access social media to disable his social media profiles – which are now harboring a number of unfavorable comments.

However, the magistrate denied a request for Silvey to get his phone back to delete the negative comments, telling the celebrated writer: “You don’t have to go in and clear the phone.”

The magistrate further dismissed complaints from Silvey’s lawyer about a media presence outside his mother’s home, where he currently resides.

“That’s just an unfortunate consequence of his profile,” the magistrate said.

‘It’s just a side effect.

Silvey’s hits include Jasper Jones, Honeybee and Runt. Many booksellers removed his novels from their shelves after the accusations

“There was no intention to humiliate him.”

Silvey was initially unable to meet bail requirements, which included both a $100,000 bond and a $100,000 personal commitment, but he quickly found the money.

The bail conditions also prevent Silvey from leaving WA or doing any work involving children.

After he was charged in January, WA’s education department distanced itself from the author by removing his books from the state curriculum.

Two of Silvey’s best-known novels, Jasper Jones and Rhubarb, are on the WA school curriculum as suggested texts for study by Year 11 and 12 students.

Education Minister Sabine Winter confirmed that Silvey’s best-selling titles would be removed.