NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia - An Australian appeal judge has denied the appeal of a New South Wales man who was convicted of child pornography charges earlier this year for a collection of animations on his computer featuring The Simpsons cartoon characters participating in various sexual acts.
Alan John McEwan was found guilty of possessing child pornography in February, but appealed the case, stating that since the images featured cartoons and not real people, they should not be considered child pornography.
But Judge Michael Adams struck down that argument, and wrote in his judgment that the animated cartoon could "fuel demand for material that does involve the abuse of children," the BBC reported.
McEwen was not jailed for the crime, but instead fined $3,000.
