Child sex offender sent to prison for seven years

A man who sexually abused two young girls for more than three years has been sent to prison.

Sam Hanson previously pleaded guilty to a representative charge of sexual conduct with a child under 12 and another of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.

The offending took place between November 2017 and December 2020, and the two victims were both aged under 12 throughout that time.

Crown prosecutor Rebekah Hicklin said the offending was deliberate, and involved ‘‘high level indecencies’’ including inappropriate touching, which had a devastating impact on the young victims.

‘‘The defendant is responsible for effectively destroying their lives,’’ she told the New Plymouth District

Court during yesterday’s sentencing hearing. Hicklin said while the defendant had pleaded guilty, he did so only weeks before the case was due to go to trial.

The victims had been prepared to give evidence, which had been a ‘‘extremely difficult’’ prospect for them to face, Hicklin said.

Despite the pleas not happening at an earlier stage, Hanson’s lawyer Kylie Pascoe sought credit for his guilty pleas, genuine remorse and willingness to meet with the victims at a restorative justice meeting, after he was sentenced.

Judge Gregory Hikaka said the offending had significantly impacted the victims’ family.

They had to move out of the area, which had a financial impact on them, along with the victims’ mother having to cover costs associated with their ongoing therapy.

He said the mother had also questioned her ‘‘standing’’ as a parent since the offending came to light.

‘‘She’s been extremely stressed and angry and also felt guilty.’’

The judge said premeditation was definitely a factor in the offending, as it had spanned a period of more than three years, and had involved ‘‘degrading’’ acts.

Hanson was jailed for seven-anda-half years and his name was automatically added to the child sex offenders’ register.