Five years in prison for internet predator

ANNA LEASK | 9th May 2008

The former Christchurch company manager charged with sexual grooming and having sex with girls under 14 whom he met on the internet has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Lawrence John Davidson, 57, a former business manager of State Owned Enterprise AgriQuality New Zealand (now AsureQuality), pleaded guilty to three charges of meeting girls aged 14 and 12 after contacting them for sex grooming, and three charges of having sex with the girls.

Davidson also admitted to possessing objectionable images of two of his victims.

One of Davidson's former colleagues, who has known him for 15 years, told The Star yesterday that the sentence was not long enough.

"He should have got five years for each girl. Dirty little men like him need to be kept off the street," she said.

AsureQuality communications manager Lisa Williams said the company did not condone Davidson's behaviour.

His wife refused to speak to The Star yesterday.

At sentencing yesterday, crown prosecutor Zannah Johnston sought a minimum non-parole period for Davidson.

However, Judge David Saunders said it was not warranted. He said Davidson had already begun a treatment programme and was likely to the considered as a suitable candidate for the Kia Marama sex offenders' treatment programme in prison.