Former NRL star Brett Finch would be at increased danger behind bars because prisoners won't understand the "subtleties" in his child abuse case, his lawyer has told a court.
The Maitland-born Finch, who was earlier this year named in the Valentine-Eleebana team of the half century, was arrested in December 2021 as one of eight men accused of being involved in a telephone chat line where police alleged sexual abuse of children was discussed and abuse material was swapped.
Finch has been on bail since pleading guilty to one count of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse in August.
"His problem is not sexual deviance, there is not a single search for a child abuse piece of material and not a single complaint about his conduct," defence barrister Mike Smith said at Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday.
Earlier in the sentence hearing, psychologist Chris Lennings found Finch's offending was not sexually motivated and that drug addiction was what led him to offend.
"While he has committed for the purposes of the law this offence, he is not a pedophile and he is not motivated by a sexual attraction to children," Mr Smith said.
"That subtlety will almost certainly be lost on hardened criminals in prison with a particular disposition."
Finch told the court on Monday he left "twisted" messages on FastMeet - a service for gay men - as he thought "hypersexualised" users could be a last resort to get drugs.
The 41-year-old said his only goal in leaving the messages was to obtain cocaine, telling the court he was introduced to the service by drug dealer connections.
In his argument for limited jail time, Finch's lawyer said his addiction could not be dealt with behind bars.
"You cannot dissuade a person from using drugs where drugs are readily available but the particular treatment required is not," he said.
The former State of Origin star has endured a harsh social penalty, unable to gain employment because of the "absurd" amount of media coverage, Mr Smith told the court.
"The casual reader will not appreciate the subtleties in this case," he said.
"They will finish the story and will move on having concluded that this man likes having sex with children."
Finch played three State of Origins for NSW and won a premiership with Melbourne Storm in 2009.
His crowning moment came in the 2006 Origin opener when he kicked a match-winning field goal for the Blues.
In his post-football life, Finch has suffered mental health issues and has spoken publicly about his battles with substance abuse.
Outside court another of his lawyers Paul McGirr said "it's clear the man does not have an interest in children".
"It's been an unfortunate incident but, of course, all we will say is the dangers of drug addictions have put him in this particular position," he said.
His sentencing has been adjourned until November 23.
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