Boss backs optician facing sexual charges

Photo / File

An Auckland optician facing sexual charges is still working - and with the backing of bosses.

Velimir Minic, 46, appeared in Waitakere District Court on two counts of indecent assault yesterday, when his name suppression lapsed.

He refused to answer questions outside court, but his boss at For Eyes Optometrists in Kumeu said he was still working with her "full trust".

Optometrist and founder of the centre Molly Whittington said she was given legal advice that she could not dismiss Minic just because he had been charged.

"Naturally the thing is it's innocent until proven guilty," she said.

"I don't know about his personal life at all but he is doing a good job."

Minic, who completed his training in New South Wales in 2000, is accused of indecently assaulting a woman twice in the space of eight days in February.

Ms Whittington would not comment on the circumstances of the charges and said she had not been interviewed by police.

Minic pleaded not guilty at a previous appearance and elected to stand trial in front of a judge alone.

Yesterday, however, he asked to change that to a jury trial, which was not opposed by the police.

Association of Dispensing Opticians president Peggy Savage was stunned to hear about the allegations against a member of the organisation.

"Wow, that's a shock," she said. "It's hugely rare. I've only known of one case and that was an optometrist many years ago."

She said anything of a criminal nature was the territory of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board, which had the power to cancel someone's practicing certificate.

Chairman Damian Koppens said there was no obligations for members to inform the board about criminal allegations, only convictions.

He said there was a presumption of innocence "unless there was a real risk to public health", but was concerned he was in the dark about the charges.

"I'm a little surprised the police didn't think it necessary to raise it with us or the Health and Disability Commissioner," he said.

According to the website, Minic is still registered with a current practicing certificate but now the board had been made aware of the charges, Mr Koppens said they would speak to the defendant about the next steps.

According to the For Eyes website, the defendant hails from a family of opticians from Sarajevo.

"He has many years of experience in spectacle repairs and adjustments. Velimir is particularly good at providing a continental flair to helping you find the frame that uniquely suits you and is great with children," it said.

Minic will appear in court again in August.

In December, a 54-year-old Auckland optician's assistant - also charged with two counts of indecent assault - admitted groping a woman's breasts as she tried on contact lenses

He was sentenced to four months home detention, 150 hours community work and ordered to pay the victim $1000 for emotional harm.