Collis Court resident Michael Edward Shipley, 32, appeared handcuffed at Ontario Court of Justice in Burlington Monday morning to be sentenced after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.

Justice Richard LeDressay sentenced him to 18 months of custody plus a day.

But since Shipley has already spent the equivalent of that time in prison -- based on two-for-one and three-for-one credit for pre-trial custody -- he's now free to go. He's been held at Maplehurst since his arrest.

Shipley isn't completely a free man, though. He was also sentenced to two years of probation, during which he'll have to report to a probation officer and take any recommended counselling and assessments, among other conditions, LeDressay told the court.

He may also have to take medication and can't be with any youths under 16 without a pre-approved adult.

In addition, for 10 years he's prohibited from setting foot near a variety of public places like parks and schools.

He'll be on the sex offender registry for 10 years.

LeDressay said he took into account the fact that Shipley made an early guilty plea, a sign of some remorse. As well, Shipley has no previous criminal record and is willing to undergo treatment, the court heard.

Wearing a striped shirt and khaki pants, a heavy-set and miserable-looking Shipley stood and apologized.

"Personally, I just want to admit full responsibility for my actions and apologize to everyone hurt by this," he said.

Shipley was arrested February 11 after Halton police seized a quantity of computer equipment from his house containing 815 photos and 971 videos.

He was one of 22 people arrested across Ontario in what was called the largest co-ordinated child pornography crackdown in the province's history.

A report from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) indicated Shipley has no major mental illness, but has a disorder where he prefers pubescent girls, court heard. His risk for acting out in a sexually inappropriate manner with a child is low to moderate, the report states.

Court heard that Shipley didn't have a reasonable chance of getting bail after he was arrested since his family lives in Australia and there was no surety.

His lawyer, Ken Lackner, told the court Shipley was suicidal after his arrest and was served with divorce papers from his wife while in prison.

Charges of distributing and accessing child pornography were stayed.

Lackner said outside the courtroom it had been a long road for Shipley.

"He served more time than I think he deserved," he said.

Shipley's sentencing was put over several months due to a delay in the CAMH report, which was unfortunate, Lackner said. He had told the court his client had been in prison long enough.

Crown attorney Brian O'Marra said he was pleased with LeDressay's decision.

Although O'Marra had recommended that Shipley spend 45 additional days behind bars, he said the 18-month sentence imposed was actually on the upper end of the normal range.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com.