Source : Perth Now news
A Perth grandma accused of producing and distributing child exploitation material in connection with acclaimed author Craig Silvey remains behind bars in custody.
Glenda Joy McGregor, 68, appeared in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from Melaleuca Prison where she has been remanded in custody over child exploitation offences and failing to comply with reporting obligations.
Ms McGregor is accused of producing and distributing offensive material in 2022 and producing material in 2026.
She was arrested in February following forensic analysis of Mr Silvey’s electronic devices.
Her lawyer asked for the matter to be adjourned so Ms McGregor could receive legal advice.
She was refused bail and remanded in custody to appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on May 1.
It is not known how Mr Silvey and Ms McGregor are known to each other, but police said last month the author faced additional charges over child exploitation material offences in connection with a woman.
Mr Silvey was first charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material in January when police raided the author’s Fremantle home where he lived with his wife and children.
He was charged with further offences after police examined devices that were seized from his property during the raid.
Mr Silvey is out on strict bail conditions and is yet to enter pleas to charges of possessing, distributing and producing child exploitation material.
A court was previously told Mr Silvey was communicating online with child exploitation offenders at the time his property was raided.
Police allege in court documents that Mr Silvey had conversations on adult websites using an alias and expressed an interest in children.
He is an award-winning author known for his best-selling book Jasper Jones along with other titles Runt and Honeybee.
His books Runt and Jasper Jones were adapted into Australian feature films.
Mr Silvey’s books were removed from shelves and school reading lists nationwide and his publishers Allen & Unwin and Fremantle Press have stopped promoting his books following the charges.
