Former NZ top cop Jevon McSkimming charged over child abuse, bestiality material
Jevon McSkimming was arrested in June and charged with eight counts of possessing objectionable material, but the courts had prevented media from reporting his name or other details of the case.
Appearing in Wellington District Court on Monday, McSkimming opted not to seek an extension of the suppression order.
His lawyer, Letizea Ord, told Judge Tim Black 'there is not a further application in respect of name suppression. It's accepted that it can lapse today'.
He is yet to enter a plea.
Asked as he left court if he had a message for the public, McSkimming said: 'No'.
The 52-year-old is alleged to have possessed child exploitation and bestiality material between specific dates.
One of the charges states the offenses happened between July 2020 and December 2024.
McSkimming was suspended from his job on full pay in December 2024, when an investigation into his conduct was launched.
Details of those allegations cannot be reported.
He was on leave for six months before his resignation in May.
Judge Black remanded McSkimming on bail, and he will reappear before the court in November.
New Zealand's police commissioner, Richard Chambers, has refused to speak to the media, other than a statement in May acknowledging McSkimming's resignation.
Chambers beat McSkimming to win the police commissioner role in November 2024. A month later, McSkimming was put on leave.
In an email last month to police staff, reported by Radio New Zealand, Chambers said he was aware people felt 'angry and feel let down'.
'I feel the same,' Chambers said.
Minister of Police Mark Mitchell has also declined to comment on the case, but has expressed concern about the reputational damage it could cause.
'I hope that the public see through and realise that we have got an outstanding police force, we've got incredible police officers,' Mitchell said last month.
'In this case, even though it involves one of our most senior police officers, you've seen that action was taken very quickly to make sure that that public confidence can be maintained.' — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-factory worker charged with stealing RM1.15mil worth of computer chips
Ruhaizzat Rusol was charged with stealing five boxes of Xilinx Virtex UltraScale chips belonging to Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd at around 3.30pm on April 26. (File pic) GEORGE TOWN : A former factory store worker was charged with stealing computer chips worth over RM1.15 million from his former employer, a multinational firm in Bayan Lepas. Ruhaizzat Rusol, 33, pleaded not guilty to the charge at the magistrates' court in Balik Pulau today. He was charged with stealing five boxes of Xilinx Virtex UltraScale chips belonging to Jabil Circuit Sdn Bhd at around 3.30pm on April 26. The chips are high-performance computer components used in critical systems such as data centres, telecom networks, and defence technology. The theft allegedly took place in a locked and fenced store at the company's Plant 2 facility in Bayan Lepas. Ruhaizzat was charged with theft under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a possible fine upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutor R Lushani proposed bail of RM10,000 with one surety, citing the high value of the stolen items. She also requested that Ruhaizzat surrender his passport. Ruhaizzat's lawyer, Edmund Hermon from the National Legal Aid Foundation, asked for a lower bail amount, saying his client now works as an e-hailing driver and supports his mother. Ruhaizzat meanwhile told the court that he did not have a passport. Magistrate Chia Huey Ying set bail at RM7,000 with one surety and fixed Sept 25 for the submission of documents and appointment of a defence counsel.
Malay Mail
16 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Foiled in Setia Alam: Snatch thief caught after botched necklace grab
SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — A man's attempt to snatch a necklace from a local in Setia Alam was thwarted when bystanders caught him yesterday evening. Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said the incident occurred at 7.07pm when the 37-year-old victim was heading to his car. The suspect, riding a motorcycle, tried to pull off the victim's necklace, but the victim fought back quickly. 'The suspect lost control and fell from his motorcycle. He tried to escape but was caught by nearby bystanders. 'Police later confirmed that the suspect, aged 30, owned the motorcycle but had used a fake licence plate. He is now under remand until August 7,' he said in a statement. Mohd Iqbal urged the public to remain alert and avoid being alone in isolated areas to reduce the risk of crime. Anyone with information can contact Investigating Officer Sergeant Mohamad Hanafi Abdul Ghani at 010-3728932. The case is being investigated under Section 393 of the Penal Code. A video of the attempted robbery earlier went viral on social media, showing the victim struggling to prevent the theft before the suspect fell and fled. — Bernama
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Caught red-handed: Penang burglar nabbed after returning to scene to collect ‘forgotten' items
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 5 — A man was caught by the homeowner after returning to a house he had burglarised in Batu Maung here yesterday to collect items he had left behind. South-west district police chief ACP Sazalee Adam said initial investigations revealed that the suspect entered the house through the back door while the housemaid was outside disposing of the trash. 'When the suspect noticed the homeowner's presence, he tried to escape but later returned to collect forgotten items. 'The homeowner and a friend managed to apprehend the suspect and handed him over to the police patrol unit (MPV) in Zone 3, Batu Maung,' he said in a statement last night. The suspect tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines in an initial urine test. He also has a prior record of drug-related offences. 'He will be brought before the Balik Pulau Magistrate's Court today for a remand order, Sazalee said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 448 of the Penal Code. Earlier, a 25-second video of the incident went viral on social media, showing the suspect descending the stairs while the homeowner confronted him. Police traced the video, which had been uploaded to a Facebook account, at 4pm yesterday. — Bernama
