Bellambi man's appeal over jail sentence in child porn case

Michael Dacich, 70, was sentenced to six months jail in Wollongong Local Court last week after confessing to being in possession of the disturbing images last October.

The court heard police carried out a search warrant at Dacich’s NSW Housing-owned apartment on the morning of October 28 after receiving reports from two interstate police agencies regarding his “internet habits”.

Police seized Dacich’s computer, a hard drive and two USB sticks from the house.

A subsequent search of the electronic items by specialist police revealed 39 images featuring child pornography.

They ranged from the lowest category for such material up to the second most serious.

Dacich was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of being in possession of child abuse material.

He made full admissions to the crime during an interview with police, saying he’d received the images from a number of people via an internet chat room.

“They've been there for years ... I've had them for about three years,” he said.

He also confessed to having sent such pictures to other people in the past.

Dacich’s lawyer told the court at his sentencing hearing that he had multiple health issues and sought an alternative punishment to prison.

However, the presiding magistrate refused the request in favour of a full-time jail sentence.

Dacich lodged an appeal against the decision the following day.

In court on Tuesday, he sought release on bail until the appeal is heard in the NSW District Court.

His lawyer said Dacich’s family would agree to put up $1,000 surety to ensure he turned up to court for the appeal.

Magistrate Michael Stoddart agreed to release Dacich, ordering him to report to police twice a week and live at an address in Bellambi on top of the surety. 

The appeal is set to be heard in August.