Home detention for distribution and possession of child exploitation material

A 52 year old man of Christchurch was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court on 27 September 2018 to 12 months home detention for the distribution and possession of child sex abuse and exploitation images.

Tony Peter Wills, a storeman in Mairehau, pled guilty to three representative charges. One charge being the distribution of 102 objectionable files using a social media platform and two charges being the possession of objectionable files.

The majority of this offending pre-dated the legislative amendments (from 7 May 2015), which have significantly increased the maximum penalties for offences related to objectionable publications.

The social media platform reported the defendant’s activity to the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, who referred the report to the Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Child Exploitation Team.

The Department of Internal Affairs’ Jolene Armadoros, Director Regulatory System Digital Safety says, “People who download and share this material perpetuate the re-victimisation of the child victims depicted in the imagery, and should expect to be caught.”

“New Zealand is committed to international efforts and work domestically with New Zealand Customs and New Zealand Police to help prevent the abuse and exploitation of children.”

“The Digital Child Exploitation Team works with overseas and domestic agencies to stop the internet trafficking of objectionable material and ensure that people who commit these crimes are brought to account for their illegal actions.”

If you are concerned that something you have seen may be objectionable or want to report a crime, contact the Censorship team. If you are the victim of a child abuse crime, visit the Child Abuse: Directory for information and support or Safe to Talk. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact organisations such as Safe Network, WellStop and STOP, local treatment providers, or specialist therapists.

ENDS

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