Brierley arrested – Aussie media
Charges of possessing child abuse material against Kiwi corporate raider Sir Ron Brierley relate to more than 200,000 images and 512 videos, senior police sources have reportedly told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The investigation into Brierley, which led to him reportedly being charged with six counts of possessing child abuse material on Tuesday, was sparked by an anonymous tip-off, the Herald was told.
Australian media are reporting that Brierley, who was born and educated in Wellington and whose net worth is $220 million, has been arrested and charged with possession of child exploitation images.
New South Wales Police would not confirm that an 82-year-old man arrested at Sydney Airport was Brierley. But in a statement, it said: ‘‘A man has been charged after allegedly being found in possession of child abuse material.
‘‘In August, detectives from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command commenced an investigation into the possession of child abuse material in the local area. Following extensive inquiries, an 82-year-old man was stopped by Australian Border Force officers at Sydney International
Sir Ron Brierley
Airport about 6.30am yesterday (Tuesday). Police were contacted, and detectives arrived a short time later.
‘‘The man’s carry-on luggage was searched before the contents of his laptop and electronic storage devices were reviewed, which are alleged to have contained large amounts of child abuse material.
‘‘The Point Piper man was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with six counts of possess child abuse material.’’
A NSW Police spokeswoman said the man would not be named by police before he appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, February 10.
Stuff is attempting to contact Brierley.
Brierley was knighted in New Zealand in 1988, and was known as a ‘‘corporate raider’’ for his business activities involving a series of takeovers and mergers in the 1980s. At the peak of its popularity, more than 160,000 New Zealanders were shareholders in Brierley Investments.