Rotorua man jailed with more than 50,000 child sex abuse images

A Rotorua man who possessed and shared child pornography has been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.

Customs were alerted to the 35-year-old’s offences after he was found sharing material over the internet using peer-to-peer software on his computer.

In February 2023, the man’s home was searched and forensic examination found tens of thousands of images and video files depicting child sexual abuse.

“It ultimately emerged that this man had stored over 50,000 child sexual abuse image and video files on his devices, and had imported or downloaded almost 12,000 of them,” said Simon Peterson, Customs Head of Child Exploitation.

According to Peterson, the man had been downloading the files for more than a year.

“The vast majority of this material actually shows children being sexually abused, in some cases in very violent ways,” he said.

The man was arrested and charged with importing and possessing offensive material.

He was sentenced today in Rotorua District Court to seven years and three months in prison.

“Importing or exporting child abuse material for personal enjoyment is unacceptable. Customs takes these types of violations very seriously,” Peterson said.

“Customs is one of three agencies in New Zealand that tracks these offenders. We work closely with our partners in the police and the Department of Home Affairs to identify, investigate and arrest those who perpetuate the cycle of harm by sharing this type of material.”