Australian, Pinay get life sentence for trafficking, child pornography

A Cebu court on Tuesday found an Australian man and his Filipina cohort guilty of human trafficking and child pornography crimes.

According to an Unang Balita report on Wednesday, accused Drew Frederick Shobbrook and Leslie Ann Fernandez were each sentenced to lifetime imprisonment.

Moreover, a P2-million fine was imposed on each of the suspects.

In 2013, 15 women and three minors believed to be victims in the crimes were tracked down and rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the International Justice Mission (IJM).

Shobbrook and Fernandez declined to comment after the verdict was handed down.

Their counsel, however, said they plan on submitting an appeal for the court to reverse its decision. —Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News