20-year-old jailed for creating videos depicting the sexual abuse of children
28 August 2026
Yesterday, Bailey Phillips, a 20-year-old apprentice butcher, was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment for his creation, possession, and distribution of objectionable material depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
These charges followed an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Digital Child Exploitation Team, where they uncovered tens of thousands of files containing graphic images and videos of child sex exploitation and abuse, including some depicting sexual activity with animals.
The Northern Otago man pleaded guilty in Oamaru District Court to 22 charges for the following offences:
- 9 counts of knowingly possessing over 29,000 objectionable images and videos depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and animals;
- 7 counts of knowingly distributing over 22,000 objectionable files; and
- 6 counts of knowingly creating 12 video files depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
A search warrant was then executed at his home, where investigators seized five devices for further examination. Forensic analysis of the devices found files compiled over a four-year period which depicted the sexual abuse of children as young as babies. During this period, Phillips also impersonated a teenage girl in several of the online conversations so he could obtain sexual imagery of young teenage boys.
“Sextortion and grooming are calculated forms of abuse. These offenders manipulate and exploit trust to coerce children into producing objectionable material, and the harm caused by these crimes can be devastating and long lasting,” Tim Houston, Manager Digital Child Exploitation says.
“This is not easy work. Our team works tirelessly along with our partners at Police and Customs to trace offenders who hide behind layers of anonymity, because every file we remove and every offender we stop means fewer children harmed.”
As part of his sentence, the judge has placed Phillips on the child sex offender register and made orders for the forfeiture of his devices and the destruction of the objectionable publications.
About Department of Internal Affairs’ Digital Child Exploitation Team
In 2025, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 52 search warrants for offences relating to online child sexual exploitation and helped to safeguard 24 New Zealand children from harm. Additionally, the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System blocked close to 700,000 attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material.
-ENDS-
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 by contacting: https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/topics/child-protection
- Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 Text 4334
- Safe Network: 09 377 9898
- WellStop: 04 566 4745
- STOP: 03 353 0257
- Stand Strong, Walk Tall
DIA uses the term child sexual abuse imagery (PDF, 625KB). The term child pornography downplays the harm of child sexual abuse
For more information on the role of the Digital Child Exploitation Team, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visit https://www.dia.govt.nz/Preventing-Online-Child-Sexual-Exploitation
Media Contact:
Media Desk - Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs
Mobile: +64 27 535 8639
Email: media@dia.govt.nz
