30 Nov 2021

Jailed sex offender may have committed other crimes - police

4:02 pm on 30 November 2021

Police believe there may be other victims of a sex offender who was sentenced to jail yesterday.

Christchurch Court building

Kenneth Linwood was sent to prison during a sentencing hearing in the Christchurch District Court. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Kenneth Linwood, 61, was convicted of numerous serious historical child sexual offences earlier this year.

In the Christchurch District Court yesterday, he was jailed for eight years and 11 months.

The offending for which Linwood was sentenced related to three victims between 1981 and 1993 in Southland.

Detective Graeme King of the Invercargill CIB said his crimes had a huge impact on his victims.

"Based on enquiries carried out as part of the prosecution we believe there could be more victims from across the South Island," King said.

"Reports of historic offending are taken extremely seriously and will be dealt with sensitively by police."

Police are asking anyone who has concerns or believes they may have been the victim of similar offending to get in touch with them by calling 105, or information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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