Kāpiti Coast man jailed after Customs uncovers 30,000 horrific child abuse files

A 32-year-old Kāpiti Coast man was sentenced yesterday (20 November) to nine years and five months’ imprisonment in the Wellington District Court for a number of Customs and Police charges.

The charges includied the importation, distribution and possession of objectionable material relating to child sexual abuse and refusing to provide Customs with access to a computer system. The man will be re-registered on the child sex offender register.

In February 2023, Customs identified a New Zealand-based individual was distributing objectionable publications, using peer-to-peer file-sharing software.

Following an investigation, Customs carried out a search warrant at his home on 21 February 2023, seizing five electronic devices. During the warrant, the defendant refused five requests from Customs investigators to access his electronic devices. On-site forensic examination located objectionable material on one of the devices, and the man was arrested on-site.

Further forensic analysis uncovered 31,238 objectionable image and video files including extreme sexual abuse of pre-pubescent children and infants, some of which had been shared through a private messaging application.

Chief Customs Officer, Child Exploitation Operations Team, Simon Peterson, said in addition to serious charges subsequently brought by Police, the defendant was found by Customs to have accumulated over 31,000 objectionable publications, including approximately 78 days’ worth of video content.

“This man was actively importing and distributing child sexual abuse material to others overseas. Much of this material is highly distressing and included some of the worst child sexual abuse content known to law enforcement globally.

“None of this offending is harmless – these are not just bad pictures or videos: they capture real children being horrifically harmed, and the existence of this material continues to cause enduring harm to those victims.”

If you have concerns or suspicions about someone who may be trading in or producing child sexual abuse images or videos, contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you are, or know of, someone who is at risk or being abused, contact the Police immediately.

Image credit: Wesley Tingey