Perth gran Glenda Joy McGregor, 68, expected to plea over child exploitation material connected to acclaimed author

A Perth grandma accused of producing and distributing child exploitation material in connection with acclaimed author Craig Silvey is expected to plead to charges.

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.

Her lawyer asked for the matter to be adjourned so he could seek instructions from Ms McGregor.

Magistrate Andrew Maughan adjourned the matter until May 22 for pleas to be entered.

“Bail is not being considered today,” he said.

“Your appearance will be on video, you are remanded in custody until then.”

It is not known how Mr Silvey and Ms McGregor are known to each other, but she was arrested following forensic analysis of Mr Silvey’s electronic devices earlier this year.

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.

He has not yet entered a plea to any charges.

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.