Lieutenant Colonel Justin Putze (front) before the court martial in Upper Hutt. Photo / Melissa Nightingale
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Putze (front) before the court martial in Upper Hutt. Photo / Melissa Nightingale
A senior army officer accused of having a sexual relationship with a subordinate while on deployment is being tried by a court martial.
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Putze is alleged to have entered into the relationship with a captain in his contingent in late 2017 and early 2018.
Putze has pleadednot guilty to four charges and one alternative charge, including failing to comply with written orders by entering into a relationship with his subordinate, failing to report the relationship, and lying to a superior about the alleged relationship.
He is also accused of engaging in a public display of affection while in a service environment by sharing "intimate embraces" with Captain Carolyne Cappola.
Counsel for prosecution, Flight Lieutenant Nina White, said in her opening address it was a case of "failure of leadership".
Putze was the senior national officer in command of the New Zealand contingent in Sinai at the time.
White said Putze and Cappola had sex in March 2018, and entered into a "close personal relationship". She said the incident in March was "characterised by the accused as a one-night stand".
After returning to New Zealand, Putze was directly asked by Major General John Boswell whether he had entered into a relationship with Cappola.
