McCoole, a former child protection worker who was found to have administered a global child pornography network, was jailed for a minimum of 28 years for abusing young children in his care and also for child pornography offences.

But SA District Court Judge Paul Rice has reduced that to 26 because of his assistance with Danish authorities in the prosecution of a man there on child pornography charges.

Judge Rice said McCoole’s evidence was important but not decisive and he believed McCoole was still keeping secrets.

“No doubt you harbour a lot more information,” the judge said today.

But he said McCoole had answered the questions he was asked.

In submissions, defence counsel Mark Griffin said McCoole gave evidence on two occasions by video link and his testimony was both of value and significance.

He said it also demonstrated remorse on behalf of his client, who regarded it as “the right thing to do”.

Prosecutors argued that while McCoole had been willing to co-operate with Danish authorities, that co-operation was on his own terms.

McCoole horrific crimes against very young children, most of whom were in state care, prompted a royal commission into South Australia’s child protection system.

– with AAP