‘One night stand’ and now officers engaged
A senior army officer is now engaged to the woman he is accused of having a sexual relationship with.
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Putze has admitted having sex with Captain Carolyne Cappola while on deployment but says there was no relationship between the pair
Putze’s lawyer told a court martial yesterday the pair had fallen in love while in the Sinai but despite a ‘‘one-night stand’’ did not have a close, personal relationship.
‘‘It is true they’re now engaged but that does not alter the truth of what took place on deployment.’’
Putze faces four charges under the Armed Forces Discipline Act: two charges of failing to comply with written orders and two charges of doing an act likely to prejudice service discipline.
He is accused of entering a close, personal and sexual relationship with a subordinate member of his contingent, behaviour forbidden within the forces, and failing to disclose the relationships to his bosses.
He was the senior national officer of the New Zealand contingent in the Sinai when the alleged behaviour took place, and has pleaded not guilty. He was married at the time.
Putze said yesterday Cappola had confided in him that her husband wanted a divorce, and he would check on her welfare while they were on deployment.
Following a night of drinking at Putze’s accommodation, she had stayed to help clean up and the pair had sex.
‘‘I was extremely guilty. I knew what I had done was inappropriate and knew it couldn’t continue in any way, shape or form.
‘‘We agreed our relationship would be entirely professional and nothing further could take place from that point on and nothing did.’’
Putze cried when he spoke about the state of his marriage at the time.
His lawyer said it was not an offence to fall in love with another member of the defence force, nor did falling in love mean a relationship took place.
The trial continues today.