KEY POINTS:
A man who has admitted numerous counts of computer pornography has had his sentencing delayed.
In Tauranga District Court, Judge Thomas Ingram yesterday called for more detailed submissions from Crown and defence lawyers, saying he was "not comfortable" dealing that day with Michael David Burt, 45, single, a machine operator of Mt Maunganui.
"My present view is that he [Burt] is looking at a starting point of three years' imprisonment," Judge Ingram said.
He asked Crown lawyer Julie O'Brien for analysis of other court decisions on similar cases and sought written submissions from Liz Jamieson, who is representing Burt.
The sentencing was adjourned to December 18 but could be brought forward if an earlier time slot is available.
Burt remains on bail.
He pleaded guilty early last month to 19 charges of distributing and 20 of possessing objectionable publications after German police caught him participating in an internet site forum last year and alerted New Zealand authorities.
Using the nickname "Mike is Smurf", Burt had access to child sex abuse movies and pictures. Forum members could upload and download available files.
The 20 possession charges relate to samples of 149 movies and more than 200 pictures found on Burt's computer.
They depict boys aged 8 to 16 years engaged in sexual activities.
When a search warrant was executed in March this year, Burt was at home and in the process of sending a compressed file of 26 pictures to another person by email. Various pictures he had sent to other people between April 1 and September 30 last year were still on his computer, which was seized.
The offences are each liable for up to 10 years in jail.
- NZPA
