Manager gets home detention

Auckland: The manager of a prominent businessman has been sentenced to 12 months’ home detention for attempting to convince a man to drop his indecent assault complaint against his employer.

The manager was found guilty of attempting to dissuade a witness after a fourweek trial in March.

The prominent businessman was also found guilty of indecently assaulting three men and two charges of attempting to dissuade a witness.

Justice Geoffrey Venning said in the High Court at Auckland yesterday the manager’s offending appeared to be out of character, but it was serious nonetheless.

The businessman will be sentenced on May 27, following an adjournment due to health concerns.