A man being sentenced on charges of sexual violation and indecent assault on a young girl, and possession of objectionable publications, was found to have thousands of pornographic images on his computer.
Tristan John Taylor, 44, was read a first strike warning by Judge Stephen Erber in Christchurch District Court held at the Rangiora Court House today.
Defence counsel John Brandts-Giesen said Taylor downloaded the images, which included child sex, bestiality, and sadism, between 1996 and 2004, but had not downloaded any more since 2005.
He said Taylor had made a terrible error of judgment in sexually assaulting the girl. Taylor regretted his actions and had shown genuine remorse in his frank pre-sentence interview.
He had sought the help of a psychologist, and prison would be a difficult sentence for him, Mr Brandts-Giesen said.
Judge Erber said the man told the girl not to tell anyone what he had done to her.
It was well known that sexually abused children suffered consequences later in life, he said.
He sentenced Taylor to prison for five years' six months' jail and ordered him to pay reparation of $10,000 to the public trustee, to be held for the girl until she is 18 years old.
