Watch: This is the ex-Auckland local board chairman charged with child sex crime, outside court today

Martin Lawes appeared in the Auckland District Court today accused of downloading live sex shows involving children from overseas (file video)

A 74-year-old Justice of the Peace and former Auckland local body community board chairman has been filmed trying to evade journalists outside the North Shore District Court today, after it was alleged he downloaded live sex shows involving young children from overseas.

Martin Henry Lawes has been charged with one count of "dealing in people under the age of 18 for sexual exploitation".

It's alleged the offending occurred on multiple occasions in 2015.

Lawes resigned as Chairman of the Takapuna Local Community Board in 2010 and has been a Justice of the Peace since 2005.

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He's been remanded on bail without plea and will reappear in court later this month.

Martin Henry Lawes is alleged to have downloaded live sex shows involving young children from overseas

Outside court today, 1 NEWS reporter Paul Hobbs asked Mr Lawes about his appearance in court.

"Do children deserve to be not exploited Mr Lawes?"  Hobbs asked.

"What do you think about that?"

Mr Lawes did not reply but instead tried to hide his face with a folder.

Mr Lawes is due to appear before the court again in three weeks' time.

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