I was a Nippers mum .. sat on the beach during Nippers all summer long for years, making sure my daughter was okay. The Nippers instructors cannot touch the Nippers, not one little bit. They are heavily scrutinised, and police checked. At least in our club they were. And they were aware of that.
There were no specific victims in McCormack's case. Transmission of (illegal) fantasies over public carrier systems. No exchange of photos. He lost his job, his standing, his livelihood, his reputation, pretty much everything.
Judge Conlon is known as the victims judge. He goes hard on the perpetrators of any crimes, especially against children. But there were no specific children in McCormack's case. Verbalised fantasies. McCormack, apparently, had tried hard not to act out on the fantasies ... so far. And since has tried to commit suicide twice.
No sympathy from me, just the explanation that is found in the excellent links that Bohemian provided.