As a result, the victim, now 16, said she felt sad and stopped doing activities she previously enjoyed, such as swimming and going outside.

“It wasn’t really me after it happened, I hurt myself a lot because I felt very uncomfortable in myself, I cut myself several times,” she said in a victim impact statement that was read to the court.

Judge Peter Hobbs said it was not unreasonable to describe the pensioner’s offending as an “aberration”.

“You are 69 years old and have what is essentially an unblemished record with a previous conviction for a motoring issue.”

But a psychologist’s report suggested a possible reason; “Headifen’s significant and unhealthy addiction to pornography over a long period of time.”

“Pornography is increasingly a feature of criminal offenses and can and often does have a significant impact on people who consume it to excess,” the judge said.

“As I said, you appear to have a significant addiction to pornography and this may have contributed to your offending.”

Crown prosecutor Harshaa Prasad acknowledged home detention was a likely option, but sought a special condition barring Headifen from accessing internet-capable devices.

Headifen’s barrister, Steve Gill, did not object to the condition and agreed that home detention was the appropriate sentence.

He emphasized that his client is eager to begin treatment for his addiction, even trying to undertake rehabilitation before sentencing, only to be told it is not possible until after his sentence.

“He’s got this addiction, he’s ready to handle it,” Gill said.

Judge Hobbs said there were a number of aggravating factors including premeditation, the age of the victim and a significant breach of trust.

But he also noted that both the presentation and the psychologist’s report said Headifen had expressed significant remorse for his offending and concern for his victim’s welfare.

Reports also suggest that Headifen is unlikely to reoffend provided he receives treatment, which the judge said he is more likely to receive in the community than in prison.

Judge Hobbs said that given Headifen’s guilty plea, his prospects of rehabilitation and his lack of previous convictions, a sentence of home detention was appropriate.

Charged with attempted sexual assault, committing an indecent act with a youth and indecent communication with a youth, Headifen was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention.

Judge Hobbs also imposed several conditions, including that Headifen must participate in an evaluation for a WellStop program and undergo counseling and treatment as recommended by his probation officer.

He was also not to associate with anyone under 16, except in the company of an adult who had been approved by a probation officer.

He was not to contact the victim or use or possess any internet-capable device without the prior approval of the probation service.

An order of protection was granted for the victim, although the judge agreed that Headifen’s inclusion on the sex offender registry was not necessary.

Catherine Hutton is an Open Justice reporter based in Wellington. She worked as a journalist for 20 years, including at Waikato Times and RNZ. Most recently, she worked as a media advisor at the Ministry of Justice.