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New Zealand Police v Leach [2021] NZDC 10856

Published 11 March 2022

Sentencing — causing harm by posting a digital communication. The defendant appeared for sentence on four charges of causing harm by posting a digital communication. The victim was his former partner. The defendant had taken intimate photographs and made intimate recordings of the victim during their relationship. He had done so with the consent of the victim, but he caused severe harm to her by subsequently publishing the photographs and recordings. The Court set a start point for sentence of 24 months' imprisonment. The defendant was allowed discounts for guilty plea, mental health issues, remorse, and otherwise good character. The final sentence was six months' home detention and $1000 in reparations. Judgment Date: 31 May 2021. * * * Note: names have been changed to comply with legal requirements. * * *