In a shocking twin scandal, celebrated Australian novelist Craig Silvey has appeared in court charged with possessing and sharing child exploitation material, while his older brother serves a 12-year prison sentence for defrauding investors of $71 million.
Court Appearance and Allegations Against the Author
Craig Silvey, the 43-year-old author of the acclaimed novel 'Jasper Jones', faced Fremantle Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. He is charged with one count each of possessing and sharing child exploitation material. The court heard that police raided his Fremantle home, which he shares with his wife and three young daughters, on Monday. Officers allegedly found him 'actively engaging' with child abusers online.
Court documents allege Silvey used the alias 'Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy' to chat with other paedophiles on adult sites, describing himself as a 'Fremantle guy' with 'very similar interests'. The full extent of the alleged offending remains unknown because Silvey refused to give detectives permission to access his phone, computer, and other devices. The prosecution is now seeking orders to obtain these devices for forensic examination.
A Family's History of Crime: The Brother's Elaborate Fraud
It can now be revealed that Silvey's brother, former cricketer Bret Silvey, 45, was jailed in May for masterminding an elaborate fraud scheme that stole tens of millions from a father and son investor duo. The West Australian District Court heard that Bret Silvey, who was married to former Opals basketball star Samantha Richards, spent years cultivating the trust of investors Ivan Humich and his son Randal.
Bret, working as a stock market trader, borrowed money from the Humichs for a fixed term with an agreed return. He then employed what Judge Nicholas Egan described as an 'extremely sophisticated and persistent' scheme involving impersonating solicitors and falsifying bank guarantees. He bought domain names that mimicked a Sydney law firm and CommSec to perpetuate the fraud.
The Humich family lost $71 million but managed to recover $63 million after lodging a civil suit, freezing Bret's assets. When confronted, Bret attempted to claim they had been hacked. Judge Egan accepted submissions that Bret did not steal the funds to support a lavish lifestyle but was trying to cover loans. He was sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in Casuarina Prison and will be eligible for parole in 2035.
In a previous legal issue, Craig Silvey was fined $10,000 in 2020 for failing to file tax returns, telling the court he relied on advice from his brother Bret, whom he called 'Betsy'.
Fallout: Books Pulled from Curriculum and Promotions Paused
The serious charges against Craig Silvey have triggered immediate repercussions across the education and publishing sectors. Western Australia's Education Minister, Sabine Winton, confirmed Silvey's books would be removed from the state school curriculum for the 2026 school year while allegations are investigated. His novels 'Jasper Jones' and 'Rhubarb' are suggested texts for Year 11 and 12 students.
The New South Wales education department also stated it would cease using his texts and remove his titles from school collections. The City of Subiaco council, which previously offered the Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers, has severed ties, stating he will have no affiliation with the 2026 award.
Silvey's publishers have also taken action. Allen & Unwin, publisher of his recent children's novel 'Runt', said it was aware of the 'deeply distressing' allegations and would pause all promotional activity. Fremantle Press, publisher of 'Rhubarb', called the allegations shocking and abhorrent and will stop promoting the book while the case is before the court.
Magistrate Thomas Hall granted Silvey bail with a $100,000 surety and a $100,000 personal undertaking, noting 'imprisonment is a likely outcome'. His bail conditions forbid him from leaving Western Australia, engaging in work involving children, and restrict his internet use to legal, banking, and medical purposes. He is next due to face court on February 10.
