Porn addict retiree Michael Headifen is placed under house arrest for sexually abusing a teenager

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

“I wasn’t really myself after it happened. I hurt myself a lot because I felt very uncomfortable with myself. I cut myself several times,” she said in a victim impact statement read out in court.

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

“You are 69 years old and you essentially have an impeccable driving record, with one previous conviction for a driving-related matter.”

But a psychologist’s report suggested a possible motive; Headifens “significant and unhealthy addiction to pornography over an extended period of time.”

“Pornography is increasingly part of criminal offenses and can and often will have significant consequences for people who make excessive use of it,” the judge said.

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

Crown prosecutor Harshaa Prasad acknowledged that house arrest was a likely option, but demanded a special condition banning Headifen from accessing internet-enabled devices.

Headifen’s attorney, Steve Gill, was not opposed to this condition and agreed that house arrest was the appropriate punishment.

He emphasized that his client was keen to start treatment for his addiction, and even tried to rehabilitate before sentencing, but was told this was only possible after sentencing.

“He has an addiction, he’s willing to deal with it,” Gill said.

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

But he also noted both the presentation and the psychologist’s report, which said Headifen had expressed deep remorse for his offending and was concerned for the welfare of his victim.

The reports also suggested that Headifen was unlikely to reoffend provided he received treatment, which the judge said he was more likely to receive in the community rather than in prison.

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

On charges of attempted sexual offense, committing an indecent act with a young person and indecent communication with a young person, Headifen was sentenced to 12 months’ house arrest.

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

He was also prohibited from associating with anyone under the age of 16 unless in the company of an adult approved by a probation officer.

He was not allowed to contact the victim, nor use or possess an internet-enabled device without prior permission from the probation service.

A protection order was issued for the victim, although the judge agreed that Headifen’s inclusion on the sex offender registry was not required.

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