More abuse charges laid and denied

A Doubtless Bay man who was already in custody over alleged sex offences against young girls has denied 17 new charges.

The fresh charges were laid in the Kaikohe District Court yesterday on Tuesday as a result of five new alleged victims making themselves known to police following publicity last year around James Brian Sanders' alleged offending.

That brings the total number of charges against Sanders to 42, and the number of complainants to 13.

The new charges against the 66-year-old accused were sexual violation by rape, 15 counts of indecent assault against a female aged 12-16, and one of indecent assault against a female aged over 16. Some of the charges are representative, meaning they cover a number of similar allegations.

The offences are alleged to have occurred at two locations south of Whangarei between 1998 and 2002. Sanders lived in a small community in the area from 1997-2006. The name of the organisation he was associated with at the time was suppressed, as is the location of his alleged offences in the Far North.

Sanders, who has been in custody since October and looked gaunt when he made a brief appearance before Judge Keith de Ridder on Tuesday was further remanded in custody to August 19 for a review of the new charges. Judge de Ridder also set a date of October 24 for a pre-trial hearing. No application was made for bail.

Most of the original 25 charges are of indecent assault, but they also include two of sexual violation and one of assault on a child.

Kaitaia detective Mark Dalzell, who is heading the enquiry, said on Tuesday that he still wanted to hear from anyone who had any relevant information and had yet to speak to police. He was pleased that 13 complainants had had the courage to come forward, but feared that there could be more.

"If you know something, come forward and talk to us," he said.

"There could well be more victims who have chosen not to complain or become involved.

"It's only by speaking out that people like this can be stopped, and we can do our job of stopping them."

Detective Dalzell can be contacted at the Kaitaia police station, phone (09) 408-6500, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555-111.