A Christchurch man previously convicted of possessing child sexual exploitation material has been sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison after admitting dozens of offences involving child sexual abuse material and sexual offending against children.

Glen Elwyn Connor, 34, of Linwood, was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday. He will serve a minimum non parole period of 50 percent.  

Connor admitted 43 charges, including creating, distributing and possessing child sexual exploitation material, indecent acts involving children and young people, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, abduction for the purpose of sexual connection, sexual grooming, conspiracy to blackmail, and multiple counts of sexual connection with a child under 16.  

The investigation began after the Department of Internal Affairs Digital Child Exploitation Team received information from an international law enforcement agency about a New Zealand based online storage account distributing child sexual exploitation material. Investigators linked the account to Connor, searched his home in April 2024, and seized electronic devices.

A second search warrant was carried out in December that year after investigators identified further offending, leading to his arrest.  

Forensic examination of six devices uncovered offending spanning almost a decade. Investigators found Connor had used multiple online accounts to create, possess and distribute thousands of illegal images and videos. Some of the material had been produced by Connor himself.

Investigators also found that while he knew he was under investigation, Connor communicated with another online offender about targeting a young person. He shared the child’s social media details in an attempt to have the victim coerced into providing explicit material.

The abuse material involved victims ranging in age from six months to teenagers.  

Department of Internal Affairs Digital Child Exploitation Team Manager Tim Houston said Connor’s repeated offending showed he posed a significant danger.

“An offender, like Connor, who continues to exploit children despite facing previous consequences is showing deliberate, predatory behaviour and presents significant risk to our communities,” Houston said.

“We along with our partners, both here in New Zealand and overseas, are committed to working together to identify predators and hold them fully accountable for their heinous crimes against innocent children.”  

Canterbury Child Protection Team Detective Sergeant Nick Adkins said the charges revealed the seriousness of Connor’s offending.

“The charges paint a disturbing picture and show the sheer scale of the offender’s actions, including serious physical sexual assaults involving young people.

“This was a comprehensive investigation between Police and the DIA. While no outcome will undo the damage this offender has done, we hope today’s sentence will help bring some closure to the victims.”

Adkins also acknowledged the victims who assisted investigators and the officers involved in the lengthy investigation.  

Connor’s electronic devices will be destroyed by court order and he will be placed on the Child Sex Offender Register.