Renowned author Craig Silvey is at the center of a scandal involving alleged messages he sent on a site associated with pedophilia, leading to the removal of his popular books from store shelves after facing charges related to child exploitation.
Silvey, 43, known for his bestselling novels “Jasper Jones” and “Runt,” was reportedly discovered engaging with individuals involved in child exploitation online. This revelation came to light when police conducted a raid at his Fremantle residence, which he shares with his partner Clare Testoni and their children, located roughly 22 kilometers south of Perth’s central business district, on Monday.
According to court documents, the father of three allegedly used the pseudonym “Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy” to communicate with other individuals on adult websites. In these exchanges, Silvey allegedly identified himself as a “Fremantle guy” and expressed interest in connecting with others who shared similar interests.
He is accused of writing messages such as, “You sound absolutely amazing” and “Looking gorgeous too. Very similar interests,” underscoring the nature of his alleged interactions.
‘You sound absolutely amazing.
‘Looking gorg too. Very similar interests.’
Silvey was arrested and charged with one count of distribution of child exploitation material and one count of possession of child exploitation material.
Prosecutors have alleged some of the illegal material was taken inside Silvey’s home office, 7News reports.
The alleged messages sent by best-selling Jasper Jones author Craig Silvey (pictured) that sparked multiple child exploitation charges have been revealed.
The father-of-three allegedly used the alias ‘Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy’ to chat with other paedophiles on adult sites (pictured, a mock-up of the alleged text messages)
Silvey appeared in Fremantle Court on Tuesday but wasn’t required to enter a plea.
It comes as WA’s education department looks to distance itself from the author by pulling his books from the state curriculum.
Two of Silvey’s best known novels, Jasper Jones and Rhubarb, are on the WA school curriculum as suggested texts that could be studied by Year 11 and 12 students.
Education Minister Sabine Winter confirmed Silvey’s best-selling titles – which include Runt, Jasper Jones and Honeybee – would be removed.
‘The nature of these allegations is deeply concerning,’ the minister said in a statement soon after the author faced court.
‘I have asked the Department of Education to ensure that schools cease using texts by Craig Silvey for the 2026 school year while the allegations are under investigation.’
The NSW education department said it would also stop using Silvey’s books.
‘NSW public schools will cease using any texts by the author and remove his titles from their school collections while legal proceedings are underway,’ a spokesman said on Wednesday.
Silvey’s wife Clare Testoni (pictured right) is a writer, playwright and puppeteer. Her performances involve ‘shadows, the gothic, and the digital’ an online bio states
A Perth local council that previously offered the Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers has also distanced itself from the author.
‘Silvey will have no affiliation with the 2026 Young Writers Award,’ City of Subiaco Mayor David McMullen said.
Silvey is best known for his 2009 novel Jasper Jones, which won the Australian Book Industry’s Book of the Year Award and has been adapted for film and various stage productions.
His most recent novel Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping was published by Allen & Unwin in September. He is publish another instalment of the Runt series in November.
Allen & Unwin said on Tuesday it was aware of serious charges and ‘deeply distressing’ allegations against Silvey, and it would pause promotional activity of Silvey’s work while the legal process took its course.
Other books include Rhubarb, published by Fremantle Press, and Honeybee, which won the Australian Indie Book Award in 2021.
Fremantle Press said the allegations against Silvey were shocking and abhorrent, and it would stop to promoting Rhubarb while his case is in court.
‘In a tight-knit community, this news affects our authors, industry colleagues, bookstores, schools and readers,’ a spokesman said.
Craig Silvey is due to publish another instalment of the Runt series (pictured) in November
Magistrate Thomas Hall granted Silvey bail with both a $100,000 surety and a $100,000 personal undertaking, noting ‘imprisonment is a likely outcome’ of his case.
Silvey cannot leave WA or engage in any work involving children, per his bail conditions and his internet access has also been restricted to legal advice, banking and medical purposes.
Silvey’s lawyer argued it would be difficult for the author not to use the internet as he is self-employed.
However, the magistrate addressed Silvey directly, saying: ‘I’m sure you appreciate these are serious charges.’
The 43-year-old is expected to face court again on February 10.
