Leading New Zealand Music Industry Figure Stands Trial for Sexual Assault and Drugs Charges

A leading figure in the New Zealand music industry is on trial for 25 sexual assault and drugs-related charges.

As reported by The NZ Herald, the man, who can’t be named due to an interim suppression order, plead not guilty to the charges at Rotorua High Court this week.

The charges relate to alleged offences which took place in various locations throughout the North Island against nine separate complainants over several years.

At the trial today, Crown Solicitor Anna Pollett informed the jury that the man’s job involved personal responsibility and integrity, claiming that the man considered this to have given him the entitlement to act in any manner towards women.

“Whether or not they wanted it, if he did, that was all that mattered. He was addicted to sex, he told some,” Pollett said.

According to the prosecution case, the man used Class A and B drugs such as MDMA and methamphetamine, sometimes combined with alcohol, which could lessen the inhibitions on some people and influence things in his favour.

Once police started investigation the man, he allegedly tried to interfere with various witnesses who had spoken to police. He allegedly asked a business associate about family members who had given statements and encouraged them to change their minds about what they had told police.

The man has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of indecent assault, four counts of sexual violation by rape, three counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, two counts of attempted sexual violation, two counts of burglary, one count of assault with intent to commit sexual violation, one count of supplying MDMA, one count of supplying methamphetamine and one count of wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It’s also alleged that the man wilfully attempted to pervert the course of justice by asking a Crown witness to speak to two women about their provided police statements.

The man’s trial is expected to last up to six weeks, with the Crown expected to call as many as 63 witnesses.