Man Attempts to Smuggle Child Sex Abuse Images into New Zealand

A New Zealand man, 43-year-old Andrew Floyd Williams has been sentenced to jail for one year and eleven months for smuggling child sex abuse images into the country on his return from Thailand.

The images include pictures of children as young as two years old being sexually abused. Following the discovery by Customs officers at the airport, law enforcement agents subsequently searched the offender’s house in Hamilton and discovered further child sex abuse images on his computer.

ECPAT Child ALERT Director, Alan Bell states “ We do not need any offensive material of this nature brought into New Zealand. Travellers should be aware that the authourities in this country are vigilant and skilled at tracking down offenders. People who do take the risk of exploiting children by accessing , viewing and distributing this material deserve the full weight of the law.”

The offender knew what he was doing and knew he was acting illegally. “What he didn’t know” says Mr Bell “is that Customs, Police and Internal Affairs work closely together to seek out people who offend and although the offender took some care to hide the material being brought into the country it was discovered. The authourities are to be commended for preventing this illegal trade based on the exploitation of innocent children”

Customs Acting Comptroller, John Secker said “Our communities need to be educated that the online movement and trading of child sexual abuse material is regularly happening throughout all corners of our society. The worrying aspect of this activity is that it is not a victimless crime, it is increasing in volume, numbers of offenders, and seriousness of content”

“These images are not merely virtual depictions of children being sexually abused” says Mr Bell “Each one represents a real child that has suffered real pain and abuse and their suffering will continue for their lifetime.”

ENDS

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