A 22-year-old man planned to commit a mass stabbing attack at his sentencing at Napier District Court. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Warning: This story contains content some may find disturbing.
A Hastings-based man who planned a mass stabbing attack at his court hearing has been sentenced to jail.
The 22-year-old, who has interim name suppression, previously pleaded guilty at the Napier District Court to 13 charges of indecent communications, distributing objectionable material, and for threatening to commit a mass stabbing attack at his 17 December sentencing.
He was sentenced to five years and four months' imprisonment.
It follows a joint investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and Police.
On 20 August 2024, a search of the offender's home revealed two electronic devices with over 2300 items of sexual abuse and exploitation material, including images and videos of child sexual abuse, bestiality and necrophilia, as well as terrorist and violent extremism content.
Police said further investigation identified several of his victims, including a child under 16 who he had solicited sexually explicit images from.
On 28 September, the FBI alerted DIA that he planned to commit a mass stabbing attack on his court date.
Police then found two bladed weapons in his bedroom - including a bayonet which he said would be used in the attack - and a manifesto detailing how he had been radicalised at the age of 19.
They said the offender claimed he was active within several violent online groups targeting children, the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable groups, enticing them to share nude images and engage in self-harm, later using the material as leverage for extortion.
Detective Inspector James Keene of Eastern District Police said the sentencing was an example of international agencies working together effectively.
"Any threats of mass harm, such as in this case, are always of concern to Police, which is why we moved quickly to arrest this man, and sought to detain him in custody," he said.
"This individual preyed on the innocence of children by distributing horrific child abuse and exploitation images online, including personally requesting explicit images from a teenager."
As part of his sentence, the man would be registered as a child sex offender and the devices used during his offending destroyed.
Police urged parents to talk to their tamariki about their online activities, with advice available at KeepItRealOnline.govt.nz.
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
- What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
- Healthline: 0800 611 116.
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
Sexual Violence
- NZ Police.
- Victim Support 0800 842 846.
- Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00.
- Rape Prevention Education.
- Safe Network: 09 377 9898
- WellStop: 04 566 4745
- STOP: 03 353 0257
- Empowerment Trust.
- HELP (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
- Safe to talk: 0800 044 334.
- Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa.
- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496.
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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