Dunedin hostel owner fined

THE owner of a Dunedin backpacker hostel and bar has been convicted of indecently assaulting a woman almost 40 years his junior.

Matthew Roger Easton (63), a first offender, had denied three charges of indecently assaulting the then 23yearold complainant in the office at the Pool House Cafe and Bar early on October 1, 2015.

The charges all arose from one incident which was caught on CCTV in the office area at the Pool House Cafe.

An outline of the circumstances said the young woman and a friend had been drinking at The Craic bar in the Octagon late on October 30. They went outside to have a smoke and met Easton and two male friends.

After talking and more drinking, it was mentioned Easton owned the Pool House and he invited the group back to the bar to play pool and have drinks.

At the bar, the young women were allowed access to the alcohol and helped themselves to various drinks over the next two to three hours. The group also talked and played pool.

Just before 4am, the complainant was looking at CDs next to the office door when Easton approached, held her hand and led her into the office.

There he tried to kiss her and touch her. When he persisted in trying to put his hands down her pants, she became visibly upset and pushed him away, making her escape from the office.

Soon after she told the group she had called the police.

Easton was tried in the Dunedin District Court last week when a jury found him guilty on two of the three charges against him.

On each of the two convictions, he was fined $750. He was also ordered to pay $1000 emotional harm reparation to the young woman. He was given a first strike warning under the ‘‘three strikes’’ legislation.

Easton had not previously appeared in court.