Warrant out for strip club owner over jetski incident

Brian Le Gros

A warrant is out* for the arrest of the White House strip club owner after he failed to turn up in court to face charges of running over a swimmer with his jetski.

Brian Le Gros is facing four charges under the Maritime Transport Act over the incident at St Heliers Bay in Auckland on January 8.

Justice officials served papers on him at the White House ordering him to appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday, but he did not turn up.

Le Gross is charged with operating a watercraft causing unnecessary danger or risk to persons, operating a watercraft causing unnecessary risk to property, and two charges of failing to operate his watercraft within maritime rules.

Maritime Safety Authority media adviser Julia Lang said the charges were laid in conjunction with the Auckland Regional Council.

She confirmed that the arrest warrant was issued when Le Gros failed to appear in court.

Witnesses allege Le Gros was riding his jetski at full throttle within the 200m low-speed zone at St Heliers when he hit swimmer Mark Hoogwerf.

* The court said the warrant was issued in error and was later withdrawn. Mr Le Gros is understood to be on holiday in Thailand and a court date of June 14 has been set.