Child porn on the radar

A Rotorua man has been sentenced to three years in jail after being convicted on numerous charges relating to child pornography.

Christopher Grant, 42, was sentenced following the completion of a Department of Internal Affairs investigation, making him the third Bay of Plenty person to be found guilty of such crimes in the last five years.

This follows the recent admission from Papamoa man Cameron Mark Dunn, who is facing a prison sentence after pleading guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to 14 counts of knowingly distributing objectionable publications to another person and six charges of knowingly possessing objectionable publications during a court appearance in Tauranga District Court earlier this month.

The distribution charges each have a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, while the charges relating to possession each carry sentences of up to five years.

The charges relate to a Department of Internal Affairs investigation in which an officer searched Facebook for the illegal use of objectionable material - particularly child sex abuse images.

Inquiries on one person’s profile led investigators to Dunn’s address in Papamoa, where his computer and other electronic devices were seized.

Judge Patrick Treston says he is prepared to consider a home detention report.

Dunn was remanded on bail and is to appear in the Tauranga District Court for sentencing on July 10.

There have been about 200 convictions in New Zealand in the last five years relating to child pornography.