Andrew Muirhead, A 2-Year Look Back: From ‘Not Guilty’ to ‘Guilty?’
Andrew Muirhead, the controversial former ABC presenter is expected to plead guilty in the child pornography case lodged against him, a court heard Monday.
Muirhead, 35, appeared Monday at the Tasmanian Supreme Court in Hobart. He was charged with using the internet to access child pornography and possessing child exploitation material in June 2010.
Here is a look back to the 2-year-old case against Andy Muirhead:
- Muirhead was a host at the popular television program Collectors when the charges against him had surfaced in June 2010. He was also presenting the Hobart breakfast radio show at the time.
- Muirhead had pleaded not guilty to a charge of using the internet to access child pornography. He entered the same plea on the charge of possessing child exploitation material. He maintained his pleas through preliminary hearings since he was arrested.
- The former presenter was involved in a preliminary proceedings hearing in August 2011.
- Federal Police seized had seized Muirhead's computer from his home two years ago. An estimated 4000 images were found in an Apple iMac's newsgroup cache.
- The ABC network was criticised two years ago for putting a stop on Muirhead's appearances even before his first court appearance. ABC released a statement saying Muirhead was on leave and will not get paid.
- Muirhead's counsel Kim Baumeler agreed Monday that pleas of guilty would be entered. This developed after Baumeler sought the number of pictures from prosecution, and Crown prosecutor Maitland Lincoln said there was no possible discussion over the number of images found.
- Justice David Porter adjourned the matter until July 31 "in the expectation that pleas of guilty will be entered." He explained he was avoiding a "fictitious plea" in the matter.
- Bail was continued for Muirhead. He left the court with no comment to reporters.