19 January 2007

Fined for child sex abuse movies

A 42-year-old Grey Lynn manager has been fined $2500 and ordered to pay court costs of $520 after pleading guilty to four charges of possessing objectionable publications -- including movies of children being sexually abused by adults.

Judge Fred McElrea in the Auckland District Court (January 18) also ordered Michael David Steffens to undergo 18 months’ supervision and undertake a SAFE sex offender’s programme or other counselling as directed by the probation officer.

Department of Internal Affairs censorship inspectors discovered that Steffens had joined an Internet site, which made available child sexual abuse movies and pictures. They seized his computer and found a number of objectionable movies involving girls, aged eight and 12 and women being sexually assaulted.

Counsel for the Department, Lara Marshall, told the court such offending promoted and supported the exploitation of children for sexual purposes.

“A strong deterrent message is required to quash the demand which fuels the international market for these types of images,” she said.

ENDS

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