Crimeline - 'sextortion' cases, downtown assault
Police are concerned about cases of alleged “sextortion” involving teenagers around Queenstown lately, with people being recorded without their consent, either in videos or images, and then uploaded onto social media and shared.
“With Snapchat and the easy ability to share we’re seeing a bit of this more recently,” Queenstown Detective Alex Cully Cully says.
“Offenders need to be aware that at the serious end of the scale when these images and this footage is being distributed it becomes a very serious offence, punishable by imprisonment.”
Police are currently investigating these local cases, and anyone caught will be dealt with by Police Youth Aid or through the Youth Court, she says.
Earlier this month, police issued a wider plea to parents and guardians to have healthy and open conversations with their young people about the risks of being online, and to be proactive with online safety.
If you are a victim to Sextortion:
- Avoid sending anymore images or videos – even if they are threatening you.
- Remember – once you have complied with their demands there is nothing preventing them targeting you again.
- Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots/screen recordings.
- This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.
- Block the profile.
- Report the content to the platform i.e. the social media or website they contacted you on, or the content has been sent or posted on and request the content is removed.
- To report this type of offending, please contact Police on 105, or an online report through Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz/report.
Netsafe also provides resources for both young people and adults regarding sextortion at netsafe.org.nz/sextortion/
Witnesses sought to downtown lakefront assaults
Police want to hear from anyone who witnessed an assault and disorder incident downtown on the Queenstown Bay waterfront near the Kawarau Jet jetty at 4.40am on Saturday, 6 July. Community and Youth Constable Amanda Shute says one male has been punched in the head which led to an associate of his becoming involved.
That then resulted in the associate also being punched and kicked in the head, sustaining injuries to his eye. Police are now investigating and appealing for an information from witnesses who are urged to contact them, quoting 240706/5809.
Drink driving
A 26-year-old local male has been charged with driving with an excess breath alcohol level after he was stopped and allegedly blew a level of 536mcgs per litre of breath just after 2am on 8 July. He will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 15 July.
A 28-year-old local male driver was also charged with driving with a breath alcohol level over 400mcg/l after he was stopped at a Police alcohol checkpoint at 9.10pm on Friday, 5 July, and allegedly blew 490mcg/l. He will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 19 July.
Also on 5 July, a 35-year-old local male was issued with an infringement notice after being stopped at a Police alcohol checkpoint and blowing 339mcg/l at 5.30pm.
A 48-year-old local male was issued with an infringement notice after being stopped at a Police checkpoint just after 9pm. He returned a result of 379mcg/l.
Driving while disqualified
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old Queenstown man was located by Police and charged with allegedly driving while disqualified on Wednesday 3 July. The vehicle was impounded, and he will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 19 July.
