Author Craig Silvey facing more charges after being accused of producing child exploitation material | Western Australia

Australian author Craig Silvey is accused of more child abuse offences.

The 43-year-old man was previously charged with possession and distribution of child abuse material in early January.

On Monday, Silvey was also charged with producing and additionally possessing child abuse material between January and June 2022.

The author of the novels Jasper Jones and Rhubarb appeared in Fremantle magistrates’ court without entering a plea to any of the charges.

Silvey’s bail was extended with the same strict conditions, but there is no longer any bail to pay.

Silvey, who was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin literary prize and the Dublin International literary prize, was allegedly caught communicating online with child abuse offenders when police raided his Fremantle home before his arrest in January.

The author is best known for her 2009 coming-of-age novel Jasper Jones, which is considered a modern Australian classic and is aimed at adults and young readers.

A worldwide hit, the book won the Australian Book Industry’s book of the year award and has been adapted into film and several stage productions.

His latest novel, Runt and the Diaabolik Dognapping, was published by Allen & Unwin in September.

Another of her books is Honeybee, which won the Australian independent book award in 2021.

After his indictment, many of his works were removed from reading lists across the country.

Allen & Unwin and Fremantle Press, which published Rhubarb, have stopped promoting their book.

Police investigating Silvey also charged a 68-year-old woman with two counts of producing child abuse material and one count of distributing it, after analyzing the author’s electronic devices.

Police allegedly created and distributed the material with Silvey.

The woman is also charged with three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations.

He was remanded in custody to appear before the Joondalup magistrates’ court on April 2.