A man who downloaded more than 6500 images showing the sexual abuse of children as young as 6 months, was sentenced to one year and eight months' jail when he appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Brendan Eric Maynard (34), sickness beneficiary, previously of Christchurch, but now of Dunedin, had admitted 15 representative Films Videos and Publications Classification Act charges of possessing computer images and video clips he knew were objectionable, on March 28, 2007.
Maynard's identification as having downloaded the images resulted from independent German State Police and FBI investigations, Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said.
Crown counsel Craig Power submitted aggravating factors were the number of images "over 6400", the variety of sexual acts depicted, the images involved children ranging in age from 6 months to 14, and Maynard masturbated to the images.
By possessing the material, Maynard was in effect maintaining and encouraging the victimisation and abuse of children, Mr Power said.
Counsel Brian Kilkelly said Maynard fully expected to receive a custodial sentence.
He developed a degree of addiction to the sites, "an addiction that started to feed upon itself".
Maynard, naively, never really saw what he was doing as preying on victims. He accepted his interest got out of control.
He had earlier addictions "alcohol, cannabis, gambling".
A psychologist described him as "a person addicted to addictions".
Maynard expressed remorse for his offending, Mr Kilkelly told the court.
Other mitigating factors were his co-operation, his early guilty plea once the charges were laid and he had since attended counselling.
Imposing sentence, Judge O'Driscoll said a report stated Maynard needed ongoing psychological support.
The counselling he had received so far was beneficial, but only the beginning.
He also noted Maynard was well motivated to co-operate with any rehabilitation.
Special conditions of release, to six months past the sentence end date, include requirement to have no contact, direct or indirect, with any child under 16 unless accompanied by approved person; and not to possess or use any internet-capable device unless supervised by an approved person.
There was also an order for destruction of the images, and any equipment used in the offending.
