Victim vows to keep fighting to name alleged attacker

Louise Hemsley.

The victim of an alleged sexual assault at the hands of a prominent New Zealander whose identity has been suppressed has vowed to keep fighting until "everybody knows who he is and what he's capable of".

In August 2012 the man pleaded guilty to a charge of performing an indecent act on Central Otago woman Louise Hemsley.

He was initially convicted and ordered to pay $6500 compensation, but on appeal he was discharged without conviction and granted permanent name suppression.

Victims of sexual assault have automatic suppression, but Mrs Hemsley had hers lifted by the courts so she could speak about the case.

Mrs Hemsley told TVNZ's Sunday programme that if she could have one wish, it would be "to have his name out there so everyone knows who he is and what he's done".

"He came into my home and violated me. Nobody gets to know what he's done wrong or who he is."

Mrs Hemsley and her husband, Brian, met the man some years ago, and considered him a "respected member of the community".

The alleged assault happened after the man came to the Hemsleys' home to speak to Mr Hemsley, who was out.

Mrs Hemsley said he would be home soon and started to make the man a cup of tea.

"He followed me in and grabbed me from behind ... He told me how lovely I was and started trying to kiss me, putting his tongue into my mouth. I was trying to push him off ...

"He just kept pawing at me, brushing his hand across my chest ... he put his hand down the back of my knickers ..."

The man denies he assaulted Mrs Hemsley, telling the Herald on Sunday that he had a "mutual" encounter with Mrs Hemsley that was "20 seconds of madness". That encounter had destroyed his relationship with his kids and almost cost him his marriage.

Mrs Hemsley said she would not give up until the man's identity was made public.

- Staff reporter