A Hastings-based man who planned a mass stabbing attack at his court hearing has been sentenced to jail.
The 22-year-old, who has interim name suppression, previously pleaded guilty at the Napier District Court to 13 charges of indecent communications, distributing objectionable material, and for threatening to commit a mass stabbing attack at his 17 December sentencing.
He was sentenced to five years and four months' imprisonment.
It follows a joint investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and Police.
On 20 August 2024, a search of the offender's home revealed two electronic devices with over 2300 items of sexual abuse and exploitation material, including images and videos of child sexual abuse, bestiality and necrophilia, as well as terrorist and violent extremism content.
Police said further investigation identified several of his victims, including a child under 16 who he had solicited sexually explicit images from.
On 28 September, the FBI alerted DIA that he planned to commit a mass stabbing attack on his court date.
Police then found two bladed weapons in his bedroom - including a bayonet which he said would be used in the attack - and a manifesto detailing how he had been radicalised at the age of 19.
They said the offender claimed he was active within several violent online groups targeting children, the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable groups, enticing them to share nude images and engage in self-harm, later using the material as leverage for extortion.
Detective Inspector James Keene of Eastern District Police said the sentencing was an example of international agencies working together effectively.
"Any threats of mass harm, such as in this case, are always of concern to Police, which is why we moved quickly to arrest this man, and sought to detain him in custody," he said.
"This individual preyed on the innocence of children by distributing horrific child abuse and exploitation images online, including personally requesting explicit images from a teenager."
As part of his sentence, the man would be registered as a child sex offender and the devices used during his offending destroyed.
Police urged parents to talk to their tamariki about their online activities, with advice available at KeepItRealOnline.govt.nz.
Sexual Violence
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
-By RNZ