Auckland entertainer accused of raping and grooming underage girl breaks silence

The man is accused of sexually abusing a girl. Photo / 123RF

An Auckland entertainer accused of raping and grooming a girl has denied the allegations, saying he is “devastated, deeply shaken and utterly shocked”.

Police allege his offending included multiple counts of male rapes female, unlawful sexual connection, doing an indecent act and meeting after sexual grooming in relation to one victim.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he would take every step necessary, through the proper legal process, to clear his name.

“I understand the public may be interested in this matter, but as it is now part of a legal process, I cannot make any further comment.”

His lawyer, Sumudu Thode, argued in Auckland District Court last week that he should be granted name suppression as he had already suffered significant consequences.

Opportunities for the man to perform had been cancelled, and he had decided not to pursue others.

Thode said he had also suffered psychological and personal consequences, such as when a friend refused to have him in her wedding party.

If his name suppression was not continued, there would be virtually “no prospect” of him recovering from the reputational damage.

She also said there was a risk that his rights to a fair trial would be prejudiced, and his family would suffer extreme hardship.

Judge Simon Lance said the guiding principle on name suppression was open justice, and that would be a steep hurdle for her client to overcome.

Prosecutor Emma Kerr said the application for name suppression did not reach the threshold, nor was there a risk to the man’s fair trial rights.

In regard to the professional impact on him, she said his submissions highlighted the importance of trust-based working relationships.

In her submission, given the nature of his work, particularly with young people, publication was likely to make him unemployable.

She referenced how he submitted that he chose not to go to a recent audition because of his mental health.

That, she said, was very different from a consequence of publication: “Not close to what would resemble extreme hardship.”.

Kerr told the court the charges were serious, the conduct alleged was not “fleeting”, and naming him was in the public interest.

The man had an opportunity for this type of alleged offending because of his role, she said.

Judge Lance reserved his decision.

Thode confirmed this morning that her client had name suppression until next week, and she would take instructions from him then.

According to court documents, the alleged offending occurred in Auckland between January 2017 and January 2021.

Waitematā Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Poland earlier told the Herald that police began investigating the alleged offending after a report in September 2024.

“Police would always encourage anyone with concerns or matters they need to raise with us to get in touch, in confidence.”

Court documents show police laid eight sexual violation charges, all of which are representative and carry a maximum imprisonment term of 20 years.

The man is also facing three charges of committing an indecent act on a young person aged 12 to 15.

All three are representative and carry a seven-year maximum sentence.

The final representative charge relates to grooming and also carries a seven-year maximum penalty.

Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues such as sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.

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