Jury weighs verdicts in abuse case

A jury has begun deliberating its verdicts on a Scoutmaster facing 26 charges of abuse of boys while on group trips.

Wellington District Court judge Peter Hobbs yesterday outlined the cases of the Crown and defence against and for the man, who has name suppression, to the jury.

The 69-year-old faces charges of indecent assault, doing an indecent act, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, and doing an indecent act in a public place. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Crown alleged that the man created a culture of nudity and overfamiliarity that gave him opportunities to offend against the six complainants.

Crown prosecutor Claire Hislop said that when the Scoutmaster led the troop, being naked was the norm on a lot of trips, and one of the complainants called it prevalent. There was naked chasing and wrestling, and skinny dipping.

The defence said most of the charges were fabricated, although one incident did take place, and it was consensual, with a 16-yearold.