A 57-year-old man with no prior criminal record has handed himself in to police after decades of possessing child exploitation material, expressing deep shame and a desire to turn his life around.Craig James Wallace, who reported himself to authorities in Canberra, stated he felt 'disgusted by this' during court proceedings.Police conducted a search of his home, seizing electronic devices and printed materials.Wallace, currently undergoing therapy for anxiety, cited a wish to reform his life as motivation for self-reporting.

Legal aid lawyers argued for bail due to his disability preventing relocation, while prosecutors opposed it citing concerns about his mental health and potential self-harm.

Magistrate Glenn Theakston granted bail with conditions including no unsupervised contact with minors under 18 and police access to his internet devices.Wallace is set to return to court in August.

Authorities urge anyone with information on child abuse material to contact Crime Stoppers, emphasizing anonymous reporting options for support services.