A Tauranga man is set to serve prison time after being found guilty of possessing and distributing objectionable images of children.

Graeme Ross Allen, 46, will serve up to three and a half years in prison for his offending.

The sentence was handed down by Judge Tom Ingram at Tauranga District Court on Monday afternoon.

In her submissions, Crown prosecutor Hayley Sheridan asked for a starting point of five and a half years be considered by the judge.

She says a collection of more than 1500 objectionable images were discovered to be in Allen's possession.

'In addition, Mr Allen has distributed six category A images showing serious sexual abuse of children; penetrative sex between and adult and child; and in some cases content being even more explicit.”

During sentencing, Judge Ingram outlined the maximum penalty for each charge.

He says a maximum of 10 years relates to the possession of objectionable images and a maximum of 14 years applies to the supply of objectionable material to another person.

'I note the maximum penalty as this has recently increased to match public concern over the increasing availability and prevalence of this type of material.

'In this case the pre-sentence report indicates Allen as a man who has fallen into a pattern seen often by the courts.

'Factors such as social isolation has seen him drifting into viewing objectionable material, which in turn then sees him very quickly distributing this material helped by increasing internet speeds.”

He made note to Allen's early plea and co-operation with authorities throughout the trial and ordered a discount of 18 months in total be applied to the sentence.

In addition to jail, Allen has been added to the sexual offenders register.