Ambulance officer on sex charges

Former ambulance officer Christopher King denies seven charges of sexual offending. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Former St John medic denies stupefying and recording victim.

Police say it is possible there are more alleged victims of a Waipukurau ambulance officer who has been charged with sex offences against four women.

Yesterday it was revealed a former St John ambulance officer had been accused of sexual violation, indecent assault, stupefying and making an intimate visual recording of a teenaged girl in Central Hawke's Bay.

Christopher Roger King, 47, is also charged with sexually violating two other women and indecently assaulting a third.

King first appeared in court in August and was granted interim name suppression and occupation suppression until 5pm yesterday. The charges date to January 2010.

Police said yesterday some charges related to alleged offending during King's employment as an ambulance officer in Central Hawke's Bay in July.

He had since resigned from St John and denied all charges.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Greig said charges against King were first laid in August. More women had since approached police to complain of alleged sexual offending by King.

"It's possible that there may be more women in the community who have been offended against by King and we would very much like to hear from them," Mr Greig said.

"We appreciate how difficult it can be for victims to approach police in these circumstances, but we can assure anyone who comes forward that they will be treated with the utmost respect and sensitivity.

"They will be fully supported throughout any resulting investigative or judicial process. Victims can approach us in complete confidence if they prefer."

At an earlier appearance this year, King was granted name suppression on the basis of adverse effects on his family, but no fresh application for suppression was made at the Napier District Court yesterday.

Defence lawyer Bill Calver said the charges were denied and would be defended.

"No new information has come to light, no fresh application for name suppression will be made," Mr Calver said.

Yesterday's appearance was for a case review hearing, though this was adjourned so that all charges could be heard together at another date.

Crown prosecutor Jo Reilly said three sets of proceedings against King would run together.

Judge Bridget Mackintosh remanded him on his existing bail, to reappear for a case review hearing next year. "The purpose of that is to bring all of the matters together so they can all be dealt with in the same way."

St John Hawke's Bay district operations manager Stephen Smith said yesterday King was isolated from patient contact as soon as St John was made aware of the allegations.

"We are deeply concerned about these serious allegations," he said. "St John is saddened that the allegations have cast a shadow on the integrity of these dedicated, trusted professionals."

Mr Smith said St John had been working closely with the police investigation.

"Anyone who has concerns about their previous dealings with this former ambulance officer - Christopher Roger King, 47, of Waipukurau - should contact the police officer in charge of the case, Detective Grant Jarvis of the Hawke's Bay Police Child Protection team on 06 831 0700."