Cecil Maurice Mabb, 42, has pleaded guilty to child abduction and assault for the campground incident near Smithton in January.

On Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Yolanda Prenc shared shocking revelations with the Supreme Court in Burnie that Mabb had told prison staff that he had abducted the girl "so he could eat her".

Ms Prenc was due to respond to defence submissions on Wednesday afternoon, but told the court she sought an adjournment as "information... that requires further exploration" had been provided to the Crown.

Defence lawyer Hannah Phillips told the court Mabb had said he had cannibalistic tendencies on the advice of inmates who suggested he exaggerate his crimes so he could gain better treatment.

"So he said it but he didn't mean it?" Justice Robert Pearce asked, and Ms Phillips agreed.

Ms Prenc told the court that in an interview with police two days after the abduction, Mabb had said that he needed help and that "society would be safer" if he was in prison.

Ms Phillips, speaking about Mabb's childhood and background, told a horrendous tale of abuse, racism and human trafficking.

Despite this, she said, he had been able to find stability in his 20s and get married and have two children.

However, he ended up living at Rosebery in 2020, in a caravan which has now been destroyed by fire, after his marriage and relationship with his children had fallen apart, Ms Phillips said.

It was then that he decided to abduct, strangle and beat the young girl.

The court previously heard that he referred to himself as a paedophile, but he had no intention of sexually assaulting the child when he picked her up by the legs and carried her to his car on January 24.

He has been in custody since January 25.

Mabb will next appear in court on April 30 at 2pm.