Three years’ prison for possessing child sex abuse videos

WELLINGTON: A Wellington man has been sent to prison for possession of objectionable videos — many of which depicted sexual abuse of babies and toddlers.

Shay Joseph Middleton (32) was living in Upper Hutt when he was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.

‘‘Any sexual offending against children is disturbing but, by sharing videos and photos of the offending, the victim is revictimised every time this material is shared online,’’ Department of Internal Affairs digital child exploitation team manager Tim Houston said.

‘‘Offenders need to know that they will be found and held accountable for their offending, which is not only an offence against children, but an offence against our values as a society.’’

This is Middleton’s second conviction for possession of child exploitation material. He was convicted in 2013 and sentenced to a year of intensive supervision community work.

He was sentenced yesterday for the more recent possession charges.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to forfeit all devices. He will be placed on the Child Sex Offender register. — The New Zealand Herald