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Timeline: Australian author Craig Silvey pleads guilty to possessing and distributing child exploitation material
Australian author Craig Silvey pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child exploitation material after a January police raid on his Perth home. Police dropped two charges, including one tied to material from 2022, and bail was continued with a July court date. Publishers, shops and schools have begun removing his books from shelves and teaching lists.
Why It Matters
The case highlights ongoing concerns over child exploitation material and its impact on an author's career and institutions involved in publishing and education.
Timeline
7 Events
Post-arrest publishing and teaching-list actions
May 5, 2026
Publishers, shops and schools pulled Silvey's books from shelves; several works, including Jasper Jones and Runt, were removed from teaching lists in Western Australia and Victoria.
Guilty plea in court (two charges) and dropped charges (May 5, 2026)
May 5, 2026
In court on May 5, 2026, Silvey pleaded guilty to two charges relating to child exploitation material produced in January. Police dropped two further charges, including one related to material allegedly produced in 2022. Bail was continued and he is due back in court in July.
Arrest in January 2026
January 2026
Silvey was arrested during a police raid at his Perth home in Western Australia; several electronic devices were seized.
Runt film adaptation (2024)
2024
Runt was adapted for film in 2024, featuring Celeste Barber.
Runt publication (2022)
2022
Runt, about the adventures of an 11-year-old girl and her stray dog, was published in 2022.
Jasper Jones film adaptation (2017)
2017
Jasper Jones was adapted into a feature film released in 2017, starring Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving.
Publication of Jasper Jones (2009)
2009
Jasper Jones, a coming-of-age novel by Craig Silvey, was published in 2009.