Man fined for importing child pornography

File photo / NZ Herald

A man who imported child pornography in his luggage said watching it made him "a better person".

Stuart Charles Briggs, 71, pleaded guilty to seven charges of importing objectionable material but crucially, Customs amended the charges from stating he did it "knowingly" to the crime being inadvertent.

The changes meant Judge Grant Fraser was not able to impose a jail term, instead fining Briggs $1750 at Auckland District Court this morning.

Seven discs were found in his luggage on return from Thailand, where the offender had been visiting his 37-year-old partner.

Briggs was adamant he had not packed the pornography but had watched the movies anyway.

"He accepted he watched discs for education and said he's now a better person for it," Judge Fraser said.

The judge said it was also troubling that in an interview with police and Customs officials he described the material as "kids being kids".

"There's no doubt the substance of the items is of real concern," he said.

Briggs' lawyer Guyon Foley told the court his client was in a homosexual relationship, "not into child sex in anyway" and said comments he had made to Customs and police were taken somewhat out of context.

Mr Foley said Briggs was trying to get across that he had engaged in sexual activity as a child but he was not trying to condone it.

He explained the objectionable material must have been put in the luggage by his partner.

"He accepts he should've packed everything himself," Mr Foley said.

"He's paid a price for that carelessness."

The court heard how Briggs had suffered two strokes recently and was keen to put the court matter behind him.

"He's concerned a third stroke will effectively finish him off," his lawyer said.