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- WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS DETAILS THAT MAY BE UPSETTING
An Auckland man has been sentenced to nine months’ home detention following an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs Digital Child Exploitation Team.
Lee Irving Musham pled guilty to one representative charge of knowingly possessing objectionable publications in the form of child sexual exploitation material. The sentence was delivered at the Manukau District Court yesterday, September 24.
Digital Child Exploitation Team manager Tim Houston said search warrants executed at Musham’s residential and business addresses led to the seizure of several electronic devices, which, after forensic examination, were found to contain images of sexual exploitation of children as young as 5 years old, bestiality, and computer-generated files promoting bestiality.
“Collecting and viewing this material is not passive offending. It condones the abuse children suffer to satisfy the market for these images,” Houston said.
“One way we work to put an end to this form of child abuse is to stop those who create, collect and distribute this material.”
Musham is not required to register as a child sex offender; however, the devices used to commit the offending were ordered to be destroyed.
In 2024, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 69 investigations into child exploitation and helped to safeguard 14 New Zealand children from harm. Additionally, the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System blocked over one million attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material.
Support and resources
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their tamariki about safe online practices. Guidance on protecting children online is available at KeepItRealOnline.govt.nz.
If you have concerns about potential online harm or wish to report a crime, contact the Digital Child Exploitation Team at DIA. For situations where abuse is occurring or a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police at 111.
Victims of child or sexual abuse crimes can access help and support services here: www.kidshealth.org.nz/listing-of-information-support-resources-on-child-abuse or Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 (text 4334).
If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s sexual behaviour, please reach out for support.
- Safe Network: 09 377 9898
- WellStop: 04 566 4745
- STOP: 03 353 0257
- Stand Strong, Walk Tall
