Aaron
© New Zealand HeraldPaedophile, Aaron John Ellmers.
An Oamaru father who attempted to rent his baby son to a paedophile has been sentenced to nearly nine years imprisonment on a raft of charges.

The 27-year-old father was sentenced today to eight years and 10 months imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of five years after being convicted of charges including sexual violation, indecent assault and making, possessing and distributing an objectionable publication.

The man was arrested as part of a police operation that began last July involving staff across the country including Northland, Auckland City, Eastern, Canterbury and Southern districts.

The operation targeted alleged paedophiles in New Zealand and overseas, including Aaron John Ellmers aged 41, who last month was sentenced to 20 years' preventative detention.

The Oamaru father was charged when police caught him attempting to rent out his 13-month-old son to Ellmers for $500.

As the 40-year-old paedophile jetted into Christchurch to meet the boy's father, police were waiting.

Detective Sergeant Dan Keno of Oamaru police said today's conviction was an opportunity to remind parents and guardians to be aware of the dangers that online activity could create for children.

People with concerns about any suspicious online activity that related to children should contact Police or the Child Youth and Family helpline.

Parents could also contact their local schools to find out more about programmes that are available to protect children from online predators.

Mr Keno said working on this particular case had been challenging but also rewarding.

''It has been personally rewarding for me to work on a case where a key outcome is that a young child now has a positive future in a safe environment.

''I chose to investigate these crimes because I find it the personally rewarding to put paedophiles in jail. It is a difficult job and it does take a personal toll. The role demands that you get close to people so they can trust you. You've really got to care about the victims to do your job well.''

With the intervention of police in this case, strategies were put in place to provide opportunities for the victim to recover and move forward, he said.

''Young children are the most vulnerable participants in society. They don't have a voice and can't stand up for themselves. Today, police were able to protect a child and give them a voice.''

Source: APNZ