Source : Perth Now news
A former senior judge has admitted he possessed child abuse material after the vile content was allegedly accidentally displayed during a university lecture.
Alan Boulton, 76, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon to two counts of possessing child abuse material.
A third charge was withdrawn by prosecutors.
In August last year, Victoria Police announced they’d laid charges against the legal academic after inappropriate images were allegedly inadvertently displayed during a lecture at Monash University’s law chambers on February 5.
Boulton’s Melbourne home was raided on February 12 and detectives travelled to NSW to search his primary residence in the Sydney beachside suburb of Bronte the following day.
The court was told one of the charges stated Boulton possessed the child abuse material between February 5 and February 12, 2025.
In Court, magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said after reading the brief of evidence prepared by police, she was satisfied a jury could convict Boulton of the offences.
“Mr Boulton do you plead guilty or not guilty?” she asked.
Boulton stood and replied: “Guilty, Your Honour”.
Boulton was stood down from his role as a senior fellow at Monash University and removed from all teaching duties after the allegations surfaced.
He was a former legal officer at the Australian Council of Trade Unions and was appointed to the Fair Work Commission in 1989, where he rose to become senior deputy president.
Boulton’s bail was extended and he will next appear in the County Court of Victoria on March 5 for a plea hearing.
He did not answer questions when approached by media leaving court.
