South Hedland sporting identity Thomas Charles Pudney pleads guilty to child exploitation charges

A prominent sporting figure from South Hedland has pleaded guilty to a string of paedophilia charges after he was found to be in possession of a number of child exploitation materials. Thomas Charles Pudney, 36, appeared in Hedland’s Magistrate’s Court last Monday and pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing video and image files depicting child exploitation material and using a carriage service to access child pornography. Pudney was charged on April 7 last year after a probe by South Hedland detectives. Investigations began in March following a tip-off from the Australian Federal Police. Police said the material seized through their investigation did not depict children from within the country. Pudney was known around town for his involvement in the sporting community, particularly the Hedland Baseball Association. His online LinkedIn profile describes him as having worked at several major retail outlets across town. It states he has worked at the town’s Harvey Norman branch as a senior sales representative and team leader since September 2013. Pudney has also worked as a sales representative at South Hedland Kmart and as a sales consultant for networking company Vita Group. He does not have a prior criminal record with local authorities. The accused’s counsel, who could be heard via audio link, requested his client appear again in two months time to allow for a pre-sentencing and psychiatric report to be conducted. Magistrate Gavin MacLean extended Pudney’s bail until his next appearance when he will be committed for sentence. He is expected to appear in South Hedland District Court for a sentence mention on March 10.