WARNING: This story details child sex abuse and may be distressing.

A former deputy school principal convicted of possessing child abuse and bestiality images has been sentenced to just over two years in prison.

Lawrence Peter Stephens, 50, pleaded guilty to five charges covering the possession of 218 images and one charge of making an objectionable publication.

Of those, 140 were of the most serious category, showing children engaged in penetrative sex.

Among the other images were 31 involving bestiality.

“This is not victimless offending,” said Judge Kevin Glubb before jailing Stephens for 28 months.

“It is actual children being brutalised in the most horrendous way.”

At his sentencing on Friday afternoon in the North Shore District Court, his former employer lost its bid for permanent suppression of its name.

But the school still cannot be named because its lawyer indicated he would be launching an appeal.

The objectionable publication charge stems from a graphic conversation Stephens had with a Whatsapp user where he discussed his desire to offend sexually against a 3-year-old.

More to come

SEXUAL HARM

Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7:
• Call 0800 044 334
• Text 4334
• Email [email protected]
• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz
Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MALE SEXUAL ABUSE SURVIVORS

Where to get help:
If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
• If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7)
• Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here.
• Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am-8pm)
• Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list.
If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault.