New arrest after spiking complaints

A 25-year-old man has been charged with sexual violation and stupefying – the fourth arrest as part of a major investigation into drink spiking at a popular Christchurch bar.

The man was arrested at Auckland Airport when he arrived back in New Zealand on Saturday, Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Anderson said.

He appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday and was granted interim name suppression for 28 days. He was remanded in custody to appear in the Christchurch District Court on December 13.

Police have been looking into about 20 complaints from women who allege their drinks were spiked at Mama Hooch on Colombo St in central Christchurch. Some of the women say they were sexually assaulted.

Three men aged 33, 34 and 36 were arrested on Thursday after several search warrants in the city. They appeared in the Christchurch District Court that day and were remanded on bail to appear again on December 13.

The 36-year-old man was charged with supplying MDMA (ecstasy), stupefying and sexually violating a woman.

The 34-year-old faced two charges of sexually violating the same woman, while the 33-yearold was charged with sexual violation, supplying ecstasy, stupefying, making an intimate visual recording, and possession of an objectionable publication.

Judge David Saunders granted name suppression for all three, but said it would have to be reviewed at their next appearance. Court documents show the sex charges the men face relate to one woman. The offending allegedly happened in April last year.

In August, the 33-year-old was charged with unlawful sexual connection, attempted unlawful sexual connection, two counts of stupefying, and supplying, administering or dealing in ecstasy.

He was arrested after two other women complained they were sexually assaulted. The pair were at Mama Hooch before they were taken to another ‘‘inner city location’’, police said.

Since then police have fielded calls from other woman who claim to have had similar experiences. Last month Mama Hooch spokesman Danny Jaz said if he caught those responsible he’d ‘‘break their hands and hand them over to police’’.

Jaz, whose father Michael is the sole director and shareholder of Mama Hooch Ltd, said he suspected patrons were responsible for the alleged druggings.

‘‘There’s no way [any of the staff] would do that. I can’t stress enough how angry or upset I’d be [if it was one of them].’’

Anderson urged people to be careful when partying in the city.