http://www.stuff.co.nz Police are seeking a sentence of preventive detention for the computer company director, who pleaded guilty on Friday to 44 representative charges of sexual violation and indecent assault between January 2000 and March this year.
Depositions hearing evidence shows Avent, 40, met some of his victims, aged 10 to 16, through the Kelston Community Church and others through his cut-price computer business, Net PC.
He lured them to the basement of his father’s home by inviting them to play computer games such as Diablo 2 and Balders Gate, and the board game Dungeons and Dragons.
Over several months, police said he "groomed" the boys, plying them with ready-to-drink alcohol, takeaways and cannabis during sleepovers.
Avent had a projector screen set up to show movies, including Star Wars and pornography. He encouraged the boys to masturbate while watching the porn, then later perform sex acts on him and each other.
Victims said in written evidence Avent would sometimes watch them while wearing night goggles, or film them with a camcorder.
Some were tied up with handcuffs or a rope. "I now feel totally repulsed," said one boy in a statement. "He has taken advantage of my naivety." Another believed he was in love with Avent and initially refused to speak to police.
Police say Avent admitted the acts, but claimed they were for the boys’ pleasure, describing what he did as an "art".
One victim said in a statement he noticed his friend had become "like a robot". "He did everything to please him."
After his conviction, Avent scanned the faces of those in the public gallery before being led to the cells. One victim’s mother said she was too scared to attend in case he saw her.
The unmarried Avent lived at home with his father until four years ago when he moved to live above his computer store in Kelston.
Despite having the chronic fatigue syndrome ME, he boasted of his martial arts and samurai sword prowess. He went to church and karate club with some of his victims and their families. He also offered computer consultancy services to schools.
Avent’s lawyer argued his client had been attacked by inmates while on remand and publishing his photo could endanger him.
But Justice Mark Cooper said prisoner safety was a matter for prison authorities and there was "widespread legitimate interest" in the case.
Avent will be sentenced in the High Court on March 17. Justice Cooper said preventive detention would be considered.