A 51-year-old Hamilton man has been jailed for almost two-and-a-half years for importing and possessing images of child sexual exploitation.
Hamilton District Court. Photo: RNZ
In June, Andrew Floyd Williams returned home after a four-week holiday in Thailand, and was questioned and searched by Customs officers at Auckland Airport.
A search of his electronic devices found child sexual abuse publications, Customs said.
A large number of child sexual abuse images and videos were subsequently located during a search of his home.
In total, forensic analysis identified more than 20,000 images and videos involving real victims and almost 1500 digitally generated publications such as animations.
He was sentenced in the Hamilton District Court this afternoon.
Customs said the man was convicted of similar crimes some years ago.
Last week, 58-year old Stephen Heppleston, was sentenced to one-and-a-half years in jail in the Timaru District Court for importing a child sex doll - the first conviction of its type in New Zealand - and for possessing child sexual abuse images.
In April 2018, Customs officers inspected air cargo from China and found it contained a life-like sex doll that resembled a young child.
Such dolls are considered obscene or indecent articles, and imports are prohibited.
Following an investigation, Customs with the support of Timaru Police searched the man's home and found child sexual abuse publications on his computer and devices - 135 images and 28 videos.