Assault case against ‘influential’ businessman begins

A “rich and influential businessman” indecently assaulted two young men, before attempting to pay one of them off with offers of cash and career opportunities, a court has heard.

The prominent New Zealander’s trial began on Monday in the Auckland District Court and yesterday the Crown opened its case.

The accused faces two charges of indecent assault — against two men in February 2008 and October 2016 — and two counts of perverting the course of justice by attempting to dissuade one of the complainants from giving evidence in his trial.

A well-known entertainer also faces three charges of attempting to dissuade the same complainant.

A third man, the accused’s business manager, is charged with attempting to dissuade the witness on one occasion.

All three men had their interim name suppression revoked by Judge Russell Collins after a successful legal challenge by the and But their names will remain secret after lawyers for the accused indicated an appeal to the High Court.

“This case is about a rich and influential businessman . . . Who has used his powerful position to take advantage of others in a criminal way,” Crown prosecutor Simon Foote told the jury.

The first complainant, Foote said, was at the accused’s home during 2008 when he began to fell “dizzy”.

Foote said the accused then squeezed the man’s bottom and began kissing him on the back of the neck.

The second complainant, Foote explained, was staying in the prominent New Zealander’s home.

The businessman entered the bedroom and began trying to pull the sheets back, Foote said.

The young man, the prosecutor added, also “felt ill and very weak” possibly a result of food poisoning.

He told the prominent New Zealander to leave, Foote said, but the accused then began holding the young man from behind and reached inside his shorts, Foote continued.

The young man was later taken to hospital.

When interviewed by police, the accused vehemently denied the allegations.