Customs investigation leads to jail for Christchurch man
12.00pm 22 May 2026
A 27-year-old Christchurch man was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court yesterday (21 May 2026) to three years and six months' imprisonment for the possession, export and distribution of child sex abuse material. He has also been registered as a child sex offender.
A Customs' investigation commenced in April 2025 into the alleged export of child sexual abuse material found to have occurred between December 2022 and February 2025. Once the individual responsible had been identified and located, Customs Investigators from the Child Exploitation Operations Team executed a search warrant at a Christchurch address.
Following a brief interaction with Customs Investigators, the man identified fled the property but was arrested after a short on-foot pursuit.
As a result of the investigation, the man was charged with nineteen counts including the export, distribution and possession of objectionable publications, being child sexual abuse material, most of which depicted the assault of real children.
It was also discovered the man had been using online gaming platforms to groom and attempt to sexually exploit children and young people.
Chief Customs Officer, Child Exploitation Operations Team, Simon Peterson, welcomes this sentencing result as a strong demonstration of intelligence, strong partnerships, and highly skilled officers.
"The material this man was accessing and sharing is distressing and keeps alive the very deep trauma experienced by the numerous victims shown in the videos and imagery. Furthermore, this offender had begun his own sexual exploitation of children in his messaging and we're relieved we were able to stop him when we did."
“Offending of this nature is never victimless. These are not simply illicit images or videos—they document real children being horrifically abused. Every time this material circulates, it perpetuates harm and trauma for those victims.”
If you have concerns or suspicions about someone who may be trading in or producing child sexual abuse images or videos, contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you are, or know of, someone who is at risk or being abused, contact the Police immediately.