Lodge owner faces sex charges

Michael Harris is led back to Kaitaia police station by Detective Richard Garton. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF

A Kaitaia backpackers' lodge owner has been accused of stupefying young travellers with prescription drugs before indecently assaulting them and making intimate videos.

Michael Harris, 56, appeared in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday on 39 charges including stupefying, indecent assault, and making and possessing intimate visual recordings. Many of the charges are representative, meaning they cover more than one incident.

The 16 alleged victims are thought to have been mainly young overseas men, aged between 18 and 25, staying at Mainstreet Lodge on Kaitaia's Commerce St.

The first of the alleged incidents occurred in 2012. The last was just three days ago.

Harris was arrested early yesterday morning, appearing nervous when he appeared in the Kaitaia District Court at 1pm. He did not seek bail and was remanded in custody until September 18. An application for interim name suppression was refused.

Police fear there may be more victims and are calling on anyone who stayed at the lodge, and has suspicions something untoward may have happened, to make contact via a special 0800 number or email address.

Many of the victims are believed to have stayed in the owner's residence. The business offers backpacker accommodation, hotel units and, on occasion, longer term accommodation in the owner's home.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said police were just starting what could be a long inquiry.

"It's very important for us to speak to anybody who has stayed in the owner's residence over the last two and a half years. These victims are unlikely to know that something has happened to them, although they may have suspicions. We will deal sensitively with them and offer all appropriate support required," he said.

The number to call is 0800 SNAP01 (0800 762 701) and the email is operationsnap@police.govt.nz.

The revelations are likely to hit hard in Kaitaia, where Harris was a respected, UK-born businessman. The town is only just recovering from the scandal around former deputy school principal James Parker, who is currently serving an indefinite jail term for sexually abusing young boys.

Much of yesterday's brief court appearance was taken up by arguments over name suppression.

Defence lawyer Cathy Murray said publishing Harris' name would affect not just his employees, but also the other businesses he had dealings with.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Brocas opposed suppression, saying police wanted his name and that of the lodge published in the hope that other victims would come forward. Suppressing his name could also cause suspicion to fall on the town's other backpacker establishment, he said.