One of Australia's worst paedophiles gets a reduced sentence because he is a refugee
A paedophile who ran a social media group for sharing vile child abuse material could serve less than four years in jail, after a judge found he was 'less morally culpable' because of his refugee background.
Bhuwani Prasad Khadka, 28, was the first South Australia pedophile every caught running a social media network for distributing child abuse material.
The resident of Burton, north of Adelaide, started a group on the Telegram app and swapped photos and videos involving children under five, and even infants, with other pedophiles.
He was also a prolific member of other exploitation groups on Facebook Messenger, Telegram and WhatsApp, and had more than 500 files stored on his devices.
His offending carried a maximum sentence of 20 years, but on Tuesday, District Court Judge Carmen Matteo to five years and two months, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.
'You have something of a lessened degree of moral culpability on account of the link between your offending and your impoverished and disadvantaged upbringing,' the judge said, according to The Advertiser.
'You were born in a refugee camp in Nepal (where) you were exposed to this type of material from a young age (that) whilst still illegal was not viewed with the level of abhorrence it is in this country.
'Not having been protected from, but having been exposed to, the material inured you to an inappropriate response to such extreme and abhorrent material.
'You told (a psychologist) you had not appreciated the extent of the material's illegality under Australian law... you told him it was "wrong, a little bit".'
Khadka had told the court that at the refugee camp, people would watch child abuse material in a group setting, and sell memory cards containing it for between $10 and $15.
He initially claimed he participated in pedophile groups 'for the social aspects,' but later admitted he was sexually attracted to the material he was sending.
His sentence was just two months over the minimum five-year term mandated by federal legislation for such offending.
He was arrested in February 2023, after the Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team received a tip-off from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the US.
Khadka then became the first person in SA history to be charged with creating and controlling an electronic service for sharing child abuse material.
Lawyer Andrew Carpenter, who specialises in abuse law and has been labelled 'SA's pedophile hunter,' slammed the judge's decision online.
'It was only two weeks ago where the Attorney General stated "this government will come down on the side of victims every day of the week," yet the government still hasn't done all they can to protect the most vulnerable,' Mr Carpenter wrote.
His statement was flooded with comments from supporters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
27 minutes ago
- Reuters
Houston Trial Attorney Will Moye Secures $37.9 Million Verdict in Zero-Offer Case Against 3M, Just One Day After Helping Defeat Texas Tort Reform Bill
HOUSTON, TX, June 6, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- In a victory for Texas plaintiffs and community safety, Will Moye, opens new tab, founding attorney of Moye Law Firm, opens new tab secured a $37.9 million jury verdict Tuesday in a case where 3M offered nothing to settle. The win came just one day after Moye helped defeat Senate Bill 30, opens new tab (SB 30), a controversial tort reform measure, opens new tab aimed at capping civil jury awards and limiting Texans' access to full compensation. 'This was a week where truth prevailed at the Capitol and in the courtroom. We warned the legislature that SB 30 would silence victims and their families. And on Monday, that bill died. On Tuesday, a Harris County jury sent a $37.9 million message that justice still matters in Texas,' Moye said. Moye tried the case alongside Robert Kwok and Ryan Loya of Kwok Daniel, LLP. The jury found 3M and its subsidiary Teledyne Detcon responsible for selling and servicing a gas detection system that catastrophically failed during the January 2020 explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing. The blast killed three people, injured many more, and destroyed hundreds of homes in Houston's Spring Branch neighborhood. Trial evidence showed that a 3M technician had falsely certified the system as operational, despite critical alarms and sensors never being properly connected. Before trial, 3M refused to offer even a nominal settlement. Instead, the company insisted it bore no responsibility and urged the jury to assign all blame to Watson Grinding, which filed for bankruptcy shortly after the explosion. At one point during trial, a 3M attorney asked one of the plaintiffs, a 50-year-old Latina housekeeper whose home and health were destroyed, why she had not 'just driven for Uber' to recover financially. 'That kind of corporate arrogance is exactly why we go to trial. They didn't take the case seriously. Thankfully, the jury did,' Moye said. With five years of pre-judgment interest, the total judgment is expected to exceed $40 million. Frequently Asked Questions Who is Will Moye? Will Moye, opens new tab is a veteran Houston trial attorney with more than two decades of courtroom experience. He previously defended some of the world's largest corporations before founding his own plaintiffs-only law firm in 2024. What is the Watson Grinding explosion case? The January 24, 2020 explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in Spring Branch killed three people and destroyed a residential neighborhood. Moye helped prove that 3M and Teledyne Detcon failed to properly install or test a gas detection system that could have prevented the blast. What was the verdict? A Harris County jury awarded $37.9 million to five plaintiffs. With pre-judgment interest, the award will exceed $40 million. Why is this verdict significant? The verdict coincided with the death of SB 30, Texas legislation aimed at reducing large jury awards. Will Moye played a direct role in defeating the bill and securing justice for his clients—all in the same week. About Will Moye and Moye Law Firm Will Moye, opens new tab is a courtroom-tested trial attorney with over 25 years of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Before founding Moye Law Firm, opens new tab, he spent his career defending some of the nation's largest energy companies, manufacturers, and insurers, giving him a rare, strategic understanding of how powerful corporations assess and fight legal claims. Today, Moye uses that insider knowledge, opens new tab to fight for individuals and families, opens new tab catastrophically harmed by explosions, workplace safety failures, defective products, and corporate negligence. He has tried high-stakes cases across Texas, from major metropolitan areas like Harris and Travis Counties to smaller rural venues, earning a reputation for tough, strategic, and compassionate advocacy. Moye is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), one of the most prestigious organizations in the legal profession, reserved for experienced trial lawyers who exhibit high personal character, integrity, and proficiency in trial advocacy. He founded Moye Law Firm in 2024. Headquartered in Houston, it is a plaintiffs-only trial firm dedicated exclusively to catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation. The firm's mission is simple: to deliver fearless, strategic, and personalized representation to those whose lives have been shattered by preventable disasters. The firm's attorneys bring over 80 years of combined courtroom experience, including significant backgrounds as former defense counsel for major corporations. Their unique perspectives enables the firm to anticipate defense strategies and build powerful, winning cases on behalf of injured clients. Their primary practice areas include: For more information, visit opens new tab. Media Contact Amanda Orramanda@ ### SOURCE: Moye Law Firm Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Newton Aycliffe man jailed for kidnap and intent to rape teenager
A man who kidnapped a girl with the intention of raping her has been jailed for 11 well as kidnap, Matthew Hindhaugh had also pleaded guilty to assaulting and intentionally strangling the teenager in Crown Court heard that the 22-year-old, of Rowan Place in Newton Aycliffe, had also admitted possessing a samurai sword and making indecent images of children. Durham Police said Hindhaugh claimed he was trying to help the girl who he said had fallen over and hurt her face, but that "overwhelming CCTV evidence and witness statements proved otherwise". The victim said her attacker had punched her in the face before putting his hands over her mouth and telling her to be then forced her into his house and on to his bed where he held her down and started to unzip his described the girl as "quick-thinking" after she told Hindhaugh she would not tell anyone what had happened if he let her then escaped leaving a shoe behind. 'Chastity belt' Det Supt Peter Carr said the victim's bravery was "nothing short of extraordinary"."Not only did her resilience and quick-thinking actions manage to get her to safety, but she managed to prevent Hindhaugh from causing harm to anyone else," he said. "He is an extremely dangerous predator, whose actions were abhorrent that night."When arrested Hindhaugh was wearing a chastity belt which he told officers was to try and stop his sexual admitted eight charges including kidnap with the intention to commit rape, assault causing actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation, all committed on 27 also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, including 171 in the most serious category, between May 2015 and September 2024. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BreakingNews.ie
37 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Jury dismisses allegations against Garda into alleged 'sorting out' of insurance offences
A serving Garda was found not guilty by a jury of charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice after allegations he 'sorted out' motoring offences for drivers. Garda Tom Flavin was acquitted of a total of 22 counts of allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice by a jury at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court following an eight-day trial. Advertisement On Friday, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on 17 of the charges. Earlier the jury was directed by the trial judge, Colin Daly, to return not guilty verdicts in respect of five counts against Garda Flavin. The long serving and respected Co Limerick Garda, who had consistently denied all of the charges, was supported in court throughout the trial by a large gathering of family friends and colleagues. On Thursday, Garda Flavin's barrister, senior counsel Mark Nicholas, instructed by solicitor Dan O'Gorman, urged the jury to acquit the garda of all of the charges, and said there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the accused. Advertisement Garda Flavin was arrested and charged following an investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and ultimately accused of knowingly entering false motor insurance details on the Garda Pulse computer records system, in an attempt to frustrate potential prosecutions against persons for driving without insurance. His trial heard that the drivers involved were stopped at routine Garda checkpoints around the country and asked by the garda present to produce their insurance and licence details at a nominated Garda station within ten days of the traffic stop. All of the drivers involved nominated Rathkeale garda station, and, later, when the investigating garda in each of the traffic stops carried out follow up checks of Pulse they were satisfied the details entered indicated that the driver in each case was insured. However, the court heard some of the drivers were actually not insured and had actually been prosecuted in court after pleading guilty to driving without insurance. Advertisement Mr Nicholas told the jury Mr Flavin was an exemplary garda who had served with dedication in Croom and Rathkeale, Co Limerick, for many years. The defence barrister had urged the jury to acquit and not fall into the trap of speculation, remarking to the jury that there was radically insufficient evidence to support a conviction against Garda Flavin. 'He (Mr Flavin) served his community without blemish and without any disciplinary blots - you know that from the evidence. "When other gardaí came to give evidence, his superiors, they spoke of him very fondly and well - It wasn't far off gushing and they spoke with knowledge,' Mr Nicholas told the jury in his closing speech, Thursday. Advertisement Mr Nicholas spoke of the 'unique challenges' gardaí face in Rathkeale as opposed to other jurisdictions: 'People who live down here know it has an enormous population, transient, in and out at various times of the year. "One policeman said (the population) quadruples and with that comes its own set of problems and own sets of vehicles - UK car registrations, UK insurance, some not insured, some not being entirely truthful.' 'We know that a certain number of times that people who were pulled up and stopped and asked for their documentation, produced bogus insurance certificates.' Mr Nicholas said the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, is an extraordinarily, serious allegation to make against a serving garda and that the State had 'nothing close' to proving its case. Advertisement The court heard evidence that persons had provided certain documents at Rathkeale garda station, where Garda Flavin was based at the time, however it was unclear who produced the documents nor was it clear what documents they produced. Fiona Murphy SC, prosecuting, had alleged that the evidence would show that Gda Flavin had 'sorted out' the uninsured drivers by inputting data into Pulse to try to frustrate prosecutions against them. However, Ms Murphy had told the jury that the prosecution case was 'a circumstantial case' with 'no direct evidence'. 'Instead, the prosecution relies on indirect evidence,' Ms Murphy said. Ireland Coroner returns verdict of accidental death after... Read More Ms Murphy had explained to the jury that a statute of limitation of 'six months' generally applied in respect of prosecuting offences of driving without insurance. She had argued that all of the relevant data entries into Pulse 'were entered under the ID of Thomas Flavin' and she had alleged that 'Tom Flavin knew they (the drivers) were not covered (by insurance) and that he entered the details onto PULSE to ensure they (appeared) covered'. 'Mr Flavin knew what he was doing, and he did so to ensure those persons were insured (on PULSE) when they were not, in order to ensure there was no prosecution,' Ms Murphy had alleged in court. However, after deliberating for three hours and 21 minutes, the jury disagreed and unanimously dismissed all of the allegations that had been made against Gda Flavin, following an expensive and top-level GNBCI (Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation) probe.
