Internet Pedophiles Prosecuted

Media reports that an Auckland sickness beneficiary is the first person sentenced to prison in New Zealand for obtaining child pornography over the Internet are wrong,

Department of Internal Affairs inspectors have successfully prosecuted 49 similar cases involving the distribution and possession of objectionable material via the Internet since 1997.

In 1997 David Overend was imprisoned for 21 months for making and distributing objectionable material and in 1998 Dustin Arthur Barrett, of Christchurch was sentenced to a year in prison on similar charges.

Manager of the Internal Affairs Censorship Compliance Unit , Steve O”Brien said the Unit catches a New Zealand offender every three to five days. There are currently 40 cases pending.

“Öur Unit is unusual in that it pro-actively pursues offenders rather that acting on tip-offs or on information gained during other inquiries. We work closely with overseas enforcement agencies and have already provided over 100 suspects for their further investigation”

Mr O’Brien said that in the majority of successfully prosecuted cases defendants receive large fines, forfeiture of their computers and periodic detention.

“The scary thing is that despite the publicity surrounding cases offenders are still willing to risk prosecution by trading this type of material,” Mr O’Brien said.

© Scoop Media