Pensioner jailed on 21 historic sex offences

A Palmerston North pensioner has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for 21 historic sex and child cruelty offences.

The 78-year-old's victims included his children, his son's girlfriends, and a family friend's daughter.

The convictions relate to a 27-year period between 1963 and 1990.

The offences occurred throughout the lower North Island.

Police spokeswoman Victoria Davis said it was one of the worst and most complex cases of Operation Hope, a Wellington operation set up to manage a large volume of uninvestigated reports of child abuse.

Senior Sergeant Tusha Penny, head of the Wellington District Child Protection Team, said the sentencing was the result of two
years of investigative work.

"I want today's sentencing to send a clear message to all communities across New Zealand that adult victims of historic sexual offending can come forward and can make a complaint to the New Zealand Police and know that it will be fully investigated."

- Newstalk ZB