A computer repairman who stole photos of naked children from his clients' computers has been jailed for two and a half years.
Ian Mead, 47, was sentenced in Wellington District Court on 50 charges, including 41 of possession of objectionable publications for distribution.
Mead's lawyer assured the court that none of the stolen images had made it on to the internet.
However, Judge Bruce Davidson said Mead's crimes were a breach of clients' trust and a gross violation of their privacy.
Judge Davidson said he considered himself to be a fair and open-minded person, but recoiled when he saw and read Crown samples of the material Mead had collected.
