The trial of an award-winning Auckland actor accused of sex offences against four women will begin on Wednesday. Photo / File
The trial of an award-winning Auckland actor accused of sex offences against four women will begin on Wednesday. Photo / File
An award-winning Auckland actor accused of sex offences against four women will have his name kept secret until the end of his trial.
The man appeared in Auckland District Court this morning having previously pleaded not guilty to four counts of indecent assault and two of sexual violation, carrying apotential 20-year jail term.
According to charge sheets, the offences took place between 2010 and 2013 in Auckland.
His trial will begin on Wednesday and Judge David Sharp continued Judge John Bergseng's interim orders to suppress the actor's name, age and ethnicity.
At a hearing in January, his lawyer, Ron Mansfield, said if his client was named, he would be shunned by the acting community.
Mansfield said his client admitted consensual sexual activity with one woman who had accused him of two counts of violation.
The indecent assaults allegedly took place in the context of acting classes and the complainants were informed and consented to that sort of physical contact within the confines of the class, the lawyer told the court.
The jury will be empaneled today and is set to get under way on Wednesday.
