A Howick man has sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for knowingly possessing and distributing child sexual abuse imagery and blackmail.
Thirty-year-old Earl Gary Chatterton was sentenced at Manukau District Court last Wednesday to four years and nine months in prison.
The sentence is the result of a joint investigation by NZ Police and the Department of Internal Affairs which commenced in August 2018.
Chatterton admitted 26 charges involving the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation imagery and one charge of blackmail.
The joint investigation revealed Chatterton distributed, copied and was in possession of over 80 objectionable image files and attempted to blackmail several people for financial gain.
Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Sutherland says that the sentencing shows that police “along with our partners will not tolerate this abhorrent offending”.
“Police, DIA and Customs have a very close working relationship,” he said.
“The strength of the three agencies working collaboratively means we are more effective when it comes to identifying and bringing to justice those who seek to exploit defenceless and vulnerable children and adults within our community.”
Tim Houston, Censorship Manager, Internal Affairs, said: “We work closely with NZ Police and Customs to ensure these criminals are caught and brought to justice.
“We proactively share knowledge and insight to identify these individuals who offend against our most vulnerable members of society.”
