'Proud ped': Former Nine reporter Ben McCormack's 'fantasy texts' revealed in court
The vile messages former Channel Nine reporter Ben McCormack admitted to sending, boasting about his interest in young boys and child pornography, have been revealed in court.
McCormack pleaded guilty to two child pornography offences in a Sydney court on Tuesday.
The charges carry a maximum 15-year jail sentence.
His lawyer, Sam Macedone, insists the messages McCormack sent were nothing more than fantasy talk but the text suggests he wanted to make it a reality.
“U eva think U’ll play with one? Or just a fantasy?” he was asked.
“I’d love to. Proud ped, proud b (boy) lover…” he responded.
McCormack was proud of being a surf lifesaver at North Bondi and chatted online about the boys he trained.
“U think you’ll always b a P (paedophile)” he was asked.
Ben McCormack called himself 'b loving pedo' in online conversations
Former A Current Affair reporter Ben McCormack pleads guilty to child porn offences
“Yep u… I’ll always have the attraction, they are beautiful,” he responded.
These messages went on for 22 months leading to McCormack’s arrest in April.
Mr Macedone said there were never any images between his client and anyone of any child exploitation material.
“It was nothing more than fantasy talk,” he said outside court.
Given the seriousness of the charges, the matter will now be moved to a higher court, where a tougher penalty can be handed down.
McCormack will return to court on October 6 to be arraigned, where a sentence date will be set.
