AN EAST Tamworth man will face a sentencing hearing later this year after admitting to possessing child abuse material.
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Hamish Norman Harrison appeared in person in Tamworth Local Court, flanked by defence solicitor Richard O'Halloran.
Magistrate Julie Soars said it was a Commonwealth DPP matter and questioned where the case was up to.
"Is Mr Harrison in a position to enter pleas of guilty or not guilty?" she asked, examining the court papers.
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Mr O'Halloran told the court the parties had had "robust" discussions and his client was ready to enter pleas to two of the charges.
He said Harrison was pleading guilty to two counts of possessing or controlling child abuse material using a carriage service.
Solicitor for the Commonwealth DPP Julia Detheridge confirmed two other charges would be withdrawn, after the guilty pleas.
"They are strictly indictable matters, Your Honour," she told the court, confirming the sentence would be handed down in the district court.
Ms Soars asked "what date are we working towards" for an arraignment in the higher court, before Mr O'Halloran replied: "as soon as possible, Your Honour".
The case has been fixed for an arraignment in Tamworth District Court, where Harrison will enter pleas.
"Mr Harrison, your matter has been committed to the district court for sentence," Ms Soars said.
"Your bail is continued and you need to go to the district court on that day for that mention."
The case can be reported after an earlier non-publication order on the case was lifted by Ms Soars.
Harrison was arrested in East Tamworth in early September last year and charged by Oxley detectives.
He's been on conditional bail, which was granted by the court, since his arrest. As part of his bail, he's prohibited from being in the company of any person under the age of 16 years, and must not use a phone which can access the internet.
One of his conditions is "not to access the internet through any means or use a computer or iPad or any other device to do so", according to court documents.
Harrison must also report daily to police, and to secure his release he had to post $20,000 in surety.
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