Renowned former corporate raider Ron Brierley, 87, has been charged with the possession of child abuse material, a concerning development following his release from prison three years ago following a successful appeal. Brierley, who previously enjoyed a prosperous career and held titles such as chairman of a prominent Australian company, appeared in court today and was granted bail on three counts of illegal material possession.
As part of his bail conditions, Brierley is prohibited from accessing any internet-connected devices unless under strict supervision. This case is set to return to Sydney’s Waverley Local Court later in March.
In October 2021, Brierley was sentenced to 14 months in jail after admitting to three counts of possessing child abuse materials, which were discovered on devices in his luggage at Sydney Airport and at his residence in Point Piper. However, an appeal in February 2022 led to his release, with a court ruling that his health conditions warranted a reduced sentence, ultimately revising it to 10 months, including a non-parole period of four months.
The materials in question included over 40,000 images featuring underage girls in sexually suggestive clothing, alongside two explicit stories of child exploitation and an image of a naked girl. Brierley’s fall from grace is notable, as he was once a prominent figure in the corporate world and was even knighted in New Zealand in 1988. However, following the initial charges related to child abuse materials, he relinquished his knighthood after the New Zealand government moved to strip it away.
This serious matter has raised considerable public concern regarding Brierley’s previous status and the nature of the charges against him. As investigations continue, the community’s attention remains firmly fixed on the developments surrounding this case. Support services are available for those affected, including the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service, reachable at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).