Convicted man's fight for suppression continues

File photo / NZ Herald

A former professional at an Auckland firm, who admitted possessing and exporting objectionable images of children, is still fighting to keep his name secret.

The man was sentenced to 10 months' home detention in the Auckland District Court last week, where a temporary name suppression order was lifted by Judge Eddie Paul.

"Prohibiting publication, in my view, would do a major disservice to the children this man abused by viewing their images," the judge said.

But the man's lawyer Guyon Foley said the ruling would be appealed and he was given until late today to file the appropriate documents with the court, a deadline that was met.

This means the name suppression order will stay until a High Court hearing into the matter.

In a statement after the sentencing, Customs border operations manager Shane Panettiere said it was "ironic" the man wanted to remain anonymous to protect his privacy "when privacy was one thing child sexual abuse victims never have from the moment their images begin to circulate on the internet".

"Most people don't understand the seriousness of online child sexual exploitation ? it is not harmless. Children suffer horrific sexual violation and this is photographed or filmed for the sexual enjoyment of others.

"These children are re-victimised every time these images are viewed," Mr Panettiere said.

In court last week, Judge Paul said the images the man possessed and exported were "gross and extreme."

The man was caught out by an Australian police undercover sting. An officer using a pseudonym chatted to him in chat rooms and he sent the officer two exploitative images of children.

Last year searches of the man's house uncovered 23 more images. He promptly pleaded guilty to two charges each of exporting and possessing objectionable material and has sought counselling.