A former teacher aide who collected child sexual abuse material and made disturbing comments about harming a child has had his prison sentence overturned on appeal.
25-year-old Quade Neil Kaahu Strange of Southland was jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to 21 charges of possessing objectionable publications.
The offending came to light after police searched his home in February and seized electronic devices containing dozens of highly explicit images and videos involving very young children.
The High Court has now substituted that sentence with five months’ home detention, with Justice Melanie Harland finding the original term was excessive.
The judge cited Strange’s age, lack of prior convictions, early admissions to police, and engagement in counselling, along with assessments indicating a low risk of reoffending.
Delays in legal aid and charge resolution were also taken into account. As a result of the ruling, his automatic placement on the child sex offender register has been set aside, with the issue to be reconsidered by the District Court.
Image credit: Jake Walker
