Prominent Kiwi not guilty
Broad suppression orders remain.
Broad suppression orders remain.
A prominent New Zealander facing sex charges against two girls has been found not guilty.
The man faced 12 charges of doing an indecent act but a jury today cleared him of the charges in the High Court at Whangarei.
His trial began at the start of last week, with the jury of 11 people reportedly at a “stalemate” as to the verdict earlier this morning.
The two complainants had accused the man of indecently touching them over several years, including on their upper thighs, bottoms and breasts.
He “categorically” denied the allegations this week, saying the massages he gave them were always requested or in the presence of other adults.
Broad suppression orders were reportedly addressed afterward, although Justice Geoffrey Venning has reserved his decision on the application to lift them.
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Comments have been closed on this story because of the suppression orders.