ND cricketer to defend sex charges
The future of Northern Knights cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn hangs in the balance as he begins his fight against two sexual assault charges.
Kuggeleijn’s lawyer, Phil Morgan, QC, did not seek name suppression when the 23-year-old appeared in the Hamilton District Court yesterday.
He entered not guilty pleas to a charge of sexual violation by way of rape on May 17 this year and indecent assault between March 2 and March 6 this year.
The charges relate to two alleged victims and two separate incidents, which allegedly occurred in Hamilton. The charges will be heard by a jury at trial, set to take place in the next 12 to 18 months.
Community Magistrate Susan Hovell granted Kuggeleijn bail to his parents’ Tamahere home on the condition he not associate or try to contact the two alleged victims.
Northern Districts Cricket Association chief executive Peter Roach could not confirm when asked whether the charges would affect Kuggeleijn’s selection for the upcoming cricket season. But he said the domestic teams would be announced in the next couple of weeks. “It’s a matter that’s before the courts and we won’t be providing a running commentary,” he said.
Kuggeleijn has previously played cricket for Wellington but returned to his home town of Hamilton two years ago to play for the Northern Knights.
He was named both bowler and player of the year at the association’s annual awards last year after taking 58 wickets across Twenty20, one-day and Plunket Shield.
Kuggeleijn’s father, Chris, is a teacher in Hamilton and a former Northern Districts and New Zealand cricketer.