ENRAGED CHILD PORNOGRAPHER ANDREW LIDDINGTON SHORE MAY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, COURT TOLD

December 19, 2013

 

Andrew Liddington Shore claimed that he had a defence against downloading 2000 images and 39 videos of underage girls due to his religious motivations. A judge disagreed. Source: News Limited

Andrew Liddington Shore outside Adelaide Magistrates Court in 2009. Source: News Limited

District Court Judge His Honour Gordon Barrett. Source: News Limited

 

A RELIGIOUS child pornographer who accused a judge of corruption as he was dragged kicking and screaming into the cells may have mental health issues, a court has heard. 

Andrew Liddington Shore stood meekly in the dock of the District Court this afternoon.

His quiet demeanour was in stark contrast with his last court appearance, when he angrily shouted "unhand me, servant" at court sheriff officers.

Shore, 74, of Hallett Cove, has been before the state's courts since 2008.

He initially pleaded guilty to downloading 2000 images and 39 videos of underage girls but, in October, sought to withdraw that plea, claiming he had a defence on religious grounds .

"My motive was not prurient but it was at assisting the children involved," he said.

Asked whether he derived pleasure from the images, he said that was "a matter between myself and God" and argued "the whole of life is sexual, even flowers".

Shore said he had "saved the images of young naked girls if they looked happy but deleted the images if they looked unhappy.".

His intention, he said was to "delete nasty images" but keep "innocuous" ones "for use as a focus for prayer for those children".

Judge Barrett refused to allow Shore to withdraw his plea, dubbing his supposed defence "delusional".

He ordered Shore personally attend a lawyer's office to seek advice before sentencing submissions.

Two weeks ago, Shore told the court he had sought assistance by phone.
When Judge Barrett revoked his bail, Shore fired off a tirade of abuse and was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the cells by two courts sheriff's officers .

"Unhand me, servant," he yelled.

"He's (Judge Barrett) got no right to order anything, he's under charges of malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance.

"How do you plead, Mr Barrett?"

Today's hearing was scheduled for prosecutors and Shore to make submissions about his impending penalty.

However, lawyer Brian Deegan appeared in court on Shore's behalf.

"I'm literally coming into this matter cold," he said.

"I last week received, without warning or speaking to anyone at the Legal Services Commission, a letter asking if I would take over this matter.

"I'm not in a position to advance the matter by way of submissions today."

Judge Barrett said that was unfortunate, given he intended to sentence Shore tomorrow.

"Don't apologise to me - your client is the one who is in custody," he said.

Mr Deegan said he had read documentation about Shore.

"I read a pre-sentence report last night and was rather aghast at some of the contents therein," he said.

"Before we proceed much further, a psychiatric report should be obtained."

Judge Barrett said such a report had previously been filed - and Shore had already been ordered to obtain a new one.

After a quick conference with his client, Mr Deegan said that had been done and the document was with Shore's GP.

He asked submissions be adjourned until next month to allow him time to prepare.
Judge Barrett agreed and remanded Shore in custody.

http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/enraged-child-pornographer-andrew-liddington-shore-may-have-mental-health-issues-court-told/story-fnii5yv4-1226786824405