Broadcaster Tony Veitch is to appear in court this morning for a hearing expected to resolve allegations that he beat up his former partner.
It is understood he will make a guilty plea, but it is not clear to which charge or charges.
The 35-year-old former TVNZ and Radio Sport
host was to appear for a depositions hearing in the Auckland District Court on Monday.
He faced six charges of assaulting former girlfriend Kristin Dunne-Powell and one of injuring her with reckless disregard.
But an email sent from the court yesterday evening said the case had been "brought on" and Veitch would now be appearing in the morning.
It is understood Veitch's appearance follows a plea-bargaining process.
Veitch's media minder, Glenda Hughes, refused to comment to the Herald because she had yet to speak to Veitch's lawyer, Stuart Grieve QC.
Mr Grieve last night refused to discuss the matter. But it is understood he negotiated a plea bargain as the depositions date neared.
The original seven charges laid against Veitch related to alleged assaults against Ms Dunne-Powell at Auckland and Mangawhai, north of Auckland, between 2003 and 2006.
After his first court appearance in August last year, Veitch vowed to defend the charges.
"I'm shocked and saddened that it's got this far in terms of all the allegations and charges ... I'm determined more than ever to fight to clear my name," he said.
Veitch's legal team raised objections late last year to apparent backlogs that could have delayed a trial until the end of next year.
Mr Grieve said in November that sort of delay could not be tolerated in a democratic society.
The former Game of Two Halves presenter stood down from high-paying positions at TVNZ and the Radio Network in July last year, after allegations arose that he had paid Ms Dunne-Powell more than $100,000 to remain silent after the assaults.
In a press conference days after the allegations came to light, Veitch - supported by new wife Zoe Halford - admitted "lashing out" at Ms Dunne-Powell.
Veitch all but disappeared from public life after the allegations, moving from his $1.8 million Herne Bay villa. It is understood he has been living with his wife's parents in Remuera.
Veitch made a tentative comeback to television in February, when he was invited to join the panel on Murray Deaker's Sky TV show Deaker on Sport.
ORIGINAL CHARGES
Injuring with reckless disregard:
January 29, 2006.
Male assaults female:
December 18, 2006, at Auckland.
Male assaults female:
November 5, 2005, at Auckland.
Male assaults female:
July 8, 2005, at Auckland.
Male assaults female:
June 3-4, 2005, at Rotorua.
Male assaults female:
Between April 14, 2003, and April 9, 2005, at Mangawhai.
Male assaults female:
Between March 15, 2002, and April 19, 2003, at Auckland.
Tony Veitch. Photo / Dean Purcell
Broadcaster Tony Veitch is to appear in court this morning for a hearing expected to resolve allegations that he beat up his former partner.
It is understood he will make a guilty plea, but it is not clear to which charge or charges.
The 35-year-old former TVNZ and Radio Sport
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