Convicted child pornographer says he's no threat

Home detention for a disabled Carterton man convicted of having child porn has distressed his playgroup neighbours despite his belief he is no threat.
Jeffrey Elstow Milton, 58, was sentenced in Masterton District Court on Monday to six months home detention and fined $14,000 for possessing and distributing images of children in sexual poses.
He is to serve the sentence at his Carterton home that neighbours Salvation Army premises, where twice a week young children come with their guardians to a playgroup.
Salvation Army Carterton corps officer Katherine Sonntag said probation service had approached her about three weeks ago during the preparation of a pre-sentence report for Milton at the request of the sentencing judge "to see if we objected to his home detention next door".
"It's not an ideal situation and we're not happy.
"It's unsettling for us and we would have preferred another sentence. We did ask he not be allowed on our property," she said.
"But because the children who come here are always with a designated adult a parent or caregiver and we have systems in place and up to three helpers at any one time as well, we're satisfied the safety of our children will not be compromised."
Captain Sonntag said the playgroup has operated at the site for about six years, with from five to 12 children aged 4 or under attending under guidance for two-hour periods on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
She said the probation service advised her not to speak with anybody, including parents and guardians, about the likelihood of home detention for Milton until after his sentencing.
"I think it is just the perception of why he was sentenced that is distressing but I have never seen this man on or around our property and he has no affiliation with us at all apart from the fact that he happens to be our neighbour," Captain Sonntag said.
"As far as I'm aware we can't change what has been done.
"We now have to live with what we've got and make the best of it."
Parents and guardians who bring their children to the playgroup are yet to be told of the home detention of Milton and this will be done after consultation with Salvation Army superiors, she said.
"I've been a neighbour of the Salvation Army for 45 years and they've never had a problem with me," Milton said yesterday from his home.
"Probation checked with them and they've seen my medical records.
"I can't even see the building from the garden. I didn't even know there was a playgroup," Milton said. "Only a few mothers go down there on a Tuesday and a Thursday. They will stay with their kids."
Milton, who suffers muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair, said a line of boulders block wheelchair access to the back of his section that is adjacent to the playgroup, which lies beyond two fences within line of sight through trees.
He said a friend had placed the boulders "to reiterate that there was no risk".
Milton said he was an "absolute fool" to get involved and he is "genuinely remorseful".
"It really wasn't my thing. Just because it happened to be landing in my inbox and I was opening it up and looking at it. The crown said I was two hours a day looking at this stuff," Milton said. "I like to browse, I look at news sites & The other part of it might have been a tiny part of it.
"It might be only once every six weeks that I was opening an email. I am remorseful. I agree that it was my fault," Milton said.
He said he has had no access to computers for almost a year and "probably would never again".
"No individual child is in any danger from me. If I was ever to be a recidivist offender, lock me up and throw away the key."