David Paul Sawtell, 37, was originally jailed for five years, seven months when he appeared before the Dunedin District Court in November last year after pleading guilty to 13 charges.
In a judgement released this week, the Court of Appeal agreed with the judge’s sentencing rationale regarding the most serious charges, but ruled he was too harsh in his analysis of the other crimes.
When Sawtell was interviewed by police he admitted he targeted the six teenage victims because he got a cheaper price "when they are younger".
The defendant used the social media handle "Sugardaddynz22" and became so well known among youth that some of the victims approached him seeking money in exchange for sexual favours.
Sawtell was on the Child Sex Offender Register at the time of his crimes after being imprisoned for 27 months in 2019 over a cache of more than 1000 objectionable digital files.
The Parole Board released him at the first opportunity because he was assessed as presenting a low risk of reoffending.
But once his parole had ended, the court heard how Sawtell began his pursuit of his victims.
He told one 14-year-old girl on Snapchat he would pay for graphic photos and videos.
He provided the teen and her friend with cash and alcohol on a weekly basis, as well as a cellphone, food and travel, the debt for which could be repaid in sex once they turned 16, he said.
Sawtell, with offers of cash, persuaded other girls to engage in sex acts with him in public in South Dunedin.
Further meetings had been organised with two of the girls, but did not take place because of his arrest in March last year.
Counsel John Westgate acknowledged his client’s social media username was indicative of the man’s mindset, but argued it was wrong to say he groomed his victims.
Justices Jillian Mallon, Simon Moore and Graham Lang disagreed.
"While the offending here did not involve a breach of trust, it did involve planning, premeditation and grooming through Mr Sawtell’s use of social media and offers to pay for sexual activity," they said.
The minimum non-parole period of 50%, imposed in the District Court, was not altered.
The successful appeal means Sawtell will now be eligible for parole in December next year, a month earlier than before.
