![\"Greg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4JQT2YJ_Image_1_jfif.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nGreg Hornblow
\nPhoto: RNZ\n<\/p>\n
The former media executive who admitted paying a 14 year-old for sex and fought to keep his name secret can now be named.<\/p>\n
Gregory Rex Hornblow was sentenced in March at the Auckland District Court to 10 months home detention and ordered to pay reparation payments of $3000 to the teenager.<\/p>\n
The 60 year-old was the chief executive of One Roof – the property arm owned by the New Zealand Herald publisher NZME – when he was charged with receiving commercial sexual services.<\/p>\n
NZME’s chief executive Michael Boggs has confirmed Hornblow was under an employment investigation over other complaints at the time and was sacked when the company learned of his arrest.<\/p>\n
In a statement, he said Hornblow was facing disciplinary action and was alleged to have “demonstrated inappropriate behaviour” at a work function and he received a final written warning.<\/p>\n
A formal complaint was then made against Hornblow that included accusations he had made “inappropriate comments” at meetings and in the office.<\/p>\n
It was during this process, in November, that NZME learned of his charge.<\/p>\n
“When we learned of the charge, we immediately terminated his employment. Due to the suppression order we have not been in a position to provide any further detail until now,” Boggs said.<\/p>\n
In the coming days Hornblow pleaded guilty to a charge of receiving commercial sexual services from a person under 18.<\/p>\n
Details revealed in Court by Judge Kathryn Maxwell show Hornblow referred to himself as a “sugar daddy” and met the 14 year-old on Snapchat in September, 2025.<\/p>\n
He bought her Ubereats in exchange for intimate photos and videos, Judge Kathryn Maxwell said.<\/p>\n
Over the course of three weeks, she sent 12 photos and 19 videos of a sexual nature, including a short video of her in her school uniform.<\/p>\n
He paid $1000 to the teen to come to his house, where the two engaged in unspecified sexual activity in his bedroom, Judge Maxwell said.<\/p>\n
The man told the girl he couldn’t pay her for sex, and instructed her to say she wanted to have sex and he had just given her the money.<\/p>\n
![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4JQT7HY_Greg_Hornblow_Nov_6_2025_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nJudge Maxwell refused Hornblow’s application for a discharge without conviction.
\nPhoto: Finn Blackwell\n<\/p>\n
Judge Maxwell said the victim felt disgusted by her interaction with the man.<\/p>\n
She said he had effectively enticed her to prostitute herself, and coached her to avoid the application of the law.<\/p>\n
“I do not accept the offending was less serious because the victim consented,” she said.<\/p>\n
Under the Prostitution Reform Act, no one under the age of 18 may be contracted for commercial sexual services. The legal age of consent is 16.<\/p>\n
Judge Maxwell said the victim was underage for what he intended, and he knew it.<\/p>\n
Judge Maxwell refused Hornblow’s application for a discharge without conviction, as well as his permanent name suppression.<\/p>\n
A law change last year meant the victim had to agree to the man’s identity remaining suppressed, which Judge Maxwell said she did not.<\/p>\n
She gave discounts for his guilty plea, remorse, and reported good character.<\/p>\n
He was convicted and sentenced to 10-months of home detention as well as the $3000 in emotional harm reparations.<\/p>\n
At the time, Judge Maxwell granted interim suppression for Hornblow which has now lapsed.<\/p>\n
At his sentencing in March, Hornblow’s lawyer, Graeme Newell asked the Court to discharge his client without a conviction. Hornblow told police he believed the girl involved to be 17-years-old.<\/p>\n
But in reality she was 14.<\/p>\n
![\"Greg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4JQT2YJ_Image_2_jfif.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nGreg Hornblow bought his victim Ubereats in exchange for intimate photos and videos.
\nPhoto: RNZ\n<\/p>\n
Newell said Hornblow would find it hard to find work and the conviction would impact his family.<\/p>\n
When Judge Maxwell declined to grant name suppression, Newell said there would be an appeal.<\/p>\n
However, on Thursday, the Auckland District Court told RNZ the appeal had been abandoned, opening the way for Hornblow to be named.<\/p>\n