For child exploitation material offences involving a modest number of images accessed on more than one occasion, where some images are of extremely young children, sentences requiring actual custody of six months are within the sound exercise of the sentencing discretion, notwithstanding an early guilty plea, no prior criminal history, and good work history, particularly where there is minimal evidence of rehabilitation prospects. A sentence of imprisonment not involving actual custody is not precluded for such offences but strong mitigating factors are required.
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