Assault over three in bed only human says judge

Busch's reaction to finding his girlfriend in bed with a couple was 'understandable', said Judge Michael Lance. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A judge yesterday sympathised with Lion Man Craig Busch, saying discovering his partner of five years in bed with a naked couple must have been "traumatic in the extreme".

The television star flew into a rage and assaulted Karen Greybrook after he returned home to find her having a threesome, a court was told.

"The three of them were in bed, naked, in circumstances that could only have left Mr Busch with the certainty that they were involved in a sexual activity involving all three," Busch's lawyer, John Haigh QC, said at yesterday's sentencing.

Busch has two weeks to pay his former partner $8000 in reparation after admitting he twice assaulted her in a fury at his wildlife park.

But the Zion Wildlife Gardens owner will face no other penalties for the January 2005 attacks, which left Ms Greybrook with injuries that included a cut above her eye which required nine stitches.

In Whangarei District Court yesterday, Judge Michael Lance said the shock of finding one's partner of five years in a threesome with friends must have been "traumatic in the extreme".

Busch, 42 - known to viewers around the world as "The Lion Man" from the TV2 series of the same name - rowed with Ms Greybrook on the morning of January 15, 2005 over the use of newly-born lion cubs in wedding pictures taken at the park. Ms Greybrook had tended the cubs from birth, and is understood to have objected to their use in the photographs.

He subsequently told her the relationship was over, then ordered her from the property, but that fact remains disputed by Busch.

The pair were to host a barbecue that day, and Ms Greybrook rang a close friend, Hermes White, who, with her husband Des, was to arrive early at the get-together to prepare the food and help look after the lion cubs.

Mrs White was working at the park at the time, after meeting Busch about six months earlier.

It was arranged the Whites would come to the party as planned, but Ms Greybrook would leave with them at the end of the night.

About 9pm, as other guests began to leave, Busch told the group that he, too, was leaving to attend a party.

Ms Greybrook and the Whites stayed at the park, drinking and playing with lion cubs. About 1.30am, they decided it was time for bed.

It was agreed the Whites would stay in a spare room. As the couple undressed and climbed into bed, Ms Greybrook stayed outside, talking to the lions in a nearby enclosure.

A short time later, she became upset again, and asked to speak with the couple.