SOME children in Melbourne may be in for a nasty shock when they open their presents on Christmas morning.

Along with books, toys, candy and clothes, some may also inadvertently receive images of hardcore pornography.

The Melbourne police have issued a warning to parents to check their children's presents after a man was arrested for allegedly slipping pornographic images of children into merchandise at four major shopping malls last month, reported the Herald Sun.

Information technology expert Kenneth Palliser, 53, of Mitcham, was arrested in a police sting at Forest Hill Chase Shopping centre on 26 Nov.

He is suspected of printing the pornographic images from the Internet, laminating them, then cutting the prints into postcard size.

Palliser then allegedly slipped the print-outs into the pockets of girls' clothes, toys and books at shopping malls in Knox City, Doncaster, Forest Hill Chase and Eastland, between 18 and 26 Nov.


HUNDREDS OF IMAGES


The police believe that 'several hundred' of Palliser's images were in circulation.

While staff at the affected shops have made all efforts to check their merchandise, the police believe that many customers may have left with goods containing the images.

Detective Sergeant Greg Heafield of the Nunawading Criminal Investigation Unit, has appealed to parents to check gifts thoroughly before wrapping them to avoid a shock on Christmas Day.

'Appropriate action was taken by the police at an early stage, but I'd encourage parents to look at the gifts first to ensure there is nothing in it that might alarm the child,' he said.

'The resulting arrest is pleasing, although the offence is horrific and has terrible overtones for parents' he added.

Palliser is believed to have been working alone and is not thought to be part of any wider network of paedophiles, the police said.

He now faces five charges, including that of contaminating goods and possessing child pornography.

The police are expect to charge him with up to 20 more offences.