Businessman appears to breach own suppression

a live-in employee in his Auckland home, two years prior.

He was convicted of that assault and two other sexual assaults, and twice attempting to bribe one of the complainants to drop his case, in a High Court trial in March.

On Tuesday, the businessman appeared to have emailed 176 addresses, the email stated he intended to appeal his convictions and would ‘‘not survive’’ a prison term.

‘‘The Prosecution has asked for... imprisonment.. [a]lthough we will win the Appeal, that is not likely to be heard until towards the end of this year (at the earliest) or next year. I doubt I would survive any period in prison,’’ the email reads.

‘‘I am innocent of all charges as I have stated in my earlier email. An Appeal is already being prepared and will be filed immediately after I am sentenced.’’

The man’s lawyer, David Jones QC, had told media after the man was convicted that there would be an appeal. Jones declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

The text of the first email, apparently sent last month, appears below the businessman’s latest apparent plea for help.

‘‘I maintain my innocence on all charges and will immediately pursue an Appeal. There is incontrovertible Crown evidence which disproves the primary charge and necessarily undermines the others,’’ the text reads.

‘‘It appears the judge could well send me to prison. An extraordinary outcome.

‘‘If that happens I believe I could have health problems, especially with regards to my mental wellbeing.

‘‘I need support from people who know me and believe in me, who can attest to my good character and contribution to society over many years.’’

Tuesday’s email appears to have been sent as a follow-up, after the first plea failed to prompt letters of support.

His sentencing date is May 27.