Friday 18 January 2008

Top prosecutor Power 'sorry' for child porn


Power out: The former crown prosecutor says his time in jail was very difficult.

Disgraced former New South Wales crown prosecutor Patrick Power has apologised for his actions after serving six months in solitary confinement for possessing child pornography.

The 55-year-old made the apology in a statement upon his release from Sydney's Long Bay Jail this morning.

Mr Power was arrested and charged last year after 433 pornographic images and 31 videos were found on his personal computer.

He had given it to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for repair.

The former crown prosecutor was sentenced to a maximum of 15 months' jail but the District Court reduced his non-parole period to six months in July last year.

"I'd just like to say I deeply regret my inappropriate behaviour," he said outside jail.

"I'm very sorry and I'd like to apologise to my family and friends and my former work colleagues."

Mr Power said his time in jail had been hard.

"I've been held in complete isolation," he said. "It's been very difficult."

In sentencing, judge Brian Boulten described the contents of the computer as "disgusting" and "depraved".

Mr Power was later stripped of his right to practice law by the NSW Bar Association.

A spokesman says Mr Power currently has no practising certificate, and a hearing is planned for May in the NSW Court of Appeal to have him permanently disbarred.

He has also had his name added to the list of the state's sex offenders.

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