A former political figure, who has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of indecent assault, is currently on trial in the Auckland District Court.
The charges relate to allegations of sexual abuse against two male complainants, one of whom was underage at the time of the incidents, which allegedly occurred between 1995 and 1999 in the Auckland and Waikato regions.
The case came to light when one of the complainants, triggered by seeing the defendant in a news article, reported the alleged assaults to the police two decades after the events. The complainant testified that the stress of seeing the defendant in the news compelled him to finally speak out about the abuse he claims to have endured.
During cross-examination defense lawyer Ian Brookie questioned the complainant’s account, pointing out inconsistencies between his testimony and earlier statements, as well as discrepancies in his description of the location of the first alleged assault.
The defense maintains that the complainants are fabricating the allegations, with the defendant strongly denying any wrongdoing.
The trial is expected to last five days. The identity of the accused remains suppressed, though it has been confirmed that he was not a sitting Member of Parliament at the time.
I’ve seen a number of these types of allegations were made to a mate of mine several years ago. The officer managing the case was found to have destroyed evidence, write his own evidence and have the complainant sign them. Even with a not guilty verdict, it was very expensive, took a couple of years and caused a marriage breakdown a few years later.
Why is it that someone waits near 30 years to make such claims?
When that happens, why is it the person making the allegations and the police who falsify evidence carry on without penalty or conviction?
Today I have a different view of the police. It is a prejudicial one. When I see a cop who is killed by a person, I now wonder what happened to that person to act in that way?
Don’t get me wrong, I do feel distressed when the police are killed. I just don’t understand why the police do not clean house, are not open about police who do things that are unacceptable.