A man who filmed young children showering in the changing rooms of a public pool and filmed himself sexually violating the children, one as young as 4, told one of his victims he was a “good boy”.
Grant Smallridge (35) admitted in the Christchurch District Court to 22 charges relating to sexually violating children and filming it.
According to the summary of facts, on March 7, 2021, Smallridge took a video of a naked 4-year-old girl in a public swimming pool changing room while inappropriately touching her.
On May 21 that same year, Smallridge was at a public swimming pool with a 12-year-old boy. They showered together and Smallridge made the boy touch him inappropriately.
A week later Smallridge sexually violated a child while filming what he was doing.
On another occasion at a public swimming pool, Smallridge filmed both a little girl and young boy showering in the changing rooms.
Smallridge was charged with unlawful sexual connection when on October 7, 2021, he filmed himself raping a child.
On December 21, 2021, a child sent Smallridge an indecent photo of himself and Smallridge agreed to send indecent material back.
At a New Year’s Eve party, Smallridge took three videos of a 4-year-old child touching him indecently while they watched something on his iPad.
On January 17, 2022, Smallridge and a child sent indecent material to each other, including videos.
Smallridge gave the young boy tips on what he would like him to do, often calling him “good boy”.
Smallridge also met with the boy to have another sexual connection with him in a garage.
On May 1 last year Smallridge sent an objectionable publication to a female associate, involving a child aged about 5 performing an indecent act on an adult.
Police searched Smallridge’s home on May 25, 2022, and found child exploitation material on his phone, including a video of a girl aged about 10.
Smallridge entered guilty pleas to the charges, having already pleaded guilty to some earlier charges through his lawyer Trudi Aickin.
There were 22 charges in total, including making an objectionable publication, sexual connection with a young person, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, possessing and distributing objectionable publication, doing an indecent act on a young person, and exposing a young person to indecent material.
He was remanded in custody before his sentencing on May 31.
SEXUAL HARM
Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call 0800 044 334
• Text 4334
• Email support@safetotalk.nz
• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz
Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.
MALE SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS
Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
• If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7)
• Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here.
• Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am-8pm)
• Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault.
- By Emily Moorhouse
- Open Justice multimedia journalist, Christchurch
