Victims fought to have sex offender identified

The man was sentenced to to 50 months imprisonment in the North Shore District Court. Photo / File

Two victims of a child sex offender were willing to forego their right to name suppression if it meant their attacker - a prominent Auckland farmer and former Justice of the Peace - would be identified.

However, the women were able to maintain their privacy when Kelvin George Reeves, 69, lost his name suppression before a judge after pleading guilty to seven child sex offences against three victims.

The Herald understands Reeves was originally arrested and charged with 16 offences.

The count was reduced to the seven for which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 months imprisonment at North Shore District Court on June 5.

One of his victims has told the Herald of the impact his offending had on her and her family's lives, and how she hopes her experiences may inspire other victims to seek justice.

When Reeves was granted name suppression at an early court appearance, herself and another victim were willing to surrender their rights to automatic name suppression as the victims of sex crimes if it meant their attacker would be revealed.

Reeves is a well-known and wealthy dairy farmer from Karaka who owns or part owns more than $13 million worth of property.

He served as a Justice of the Peace for eight years in the 1990s and was an active member of the National Party in the area, especially with the Young Nationals.

While his identity was revealed, the dates of his offending and his relationship to his victims remained suppressed by the court.

One of his victims spoke to the Herald about the impact his offending has had on her life.

"[It] made me feel like my childhood was stolen," she said.

"While he has been given a few months in jail, my life has been affected permanently and my relationships with people and trust of people can never be mended."

She said Reeves lived a double life and fought to keep his identity secret to protect his reputation.

"He was well respected in his community and people have no idea what he has done and what he is capable of. If there are other people he has abused, I hope this gives them the strength to come forward."

The police investigation and court process had been tough for the victim and her family, but she now felt empowered that Reeves was behind bars and the community will know what he has done.

She hoped by speaking out that other victims of sex crimes may come forward and that Reeves will be unable to re-offend.

"As much as it is hard to take the first step, having the abuse acknowledged by the justice system is empowering and helps with your healing".

Family members of the victim said Reeves was a "creepy paedophile masquerading as a pillar of the community" and they hoped his identification would inspire other victims to come forward and to reduce any risk of reoffending.