A New Westminster man has been sentenced to 10 months in jail for possession of child pornography.
The New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) says 51-year-old Scott Harrison pleaded guilty after his arrest in 2020.
Court records show he was charged with several more crimes, including importing, distributing, and accessing child pornography. His sentence, related to one count of possession, was made official on Aug. 26, 2024.
The NWPD says the investigation into Harrison serves as a reminder that the public has a role to play in reducing the “growing proliferation of child sexual abuse material on the internet.”
“Behind each image of child sexual abuse is a real child,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver.
“We typically make this recommendation at the start of the school year, and that is to double check your social media privacy settings and speak with kids about how to stay safe online.”
Police say parents can visit the Canadian Centre for Child Protection website for resources about staying safe online. The website offers information about the removal of online child sexual abuse material.
If you believe a child is being targeted for abuse or exploitation online, you can also visit cybertip.ca to find resources or file a report.