Businessman gets home detention for indecent assault

A Rotorua businessman has been sentenced to home detention for indecently assaulting a woman.

Aaron Deane Marsh, 41, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to five months' home detention at a Papamoa address and 200 hours' community work on one charge of indecent assault and one of male assaults female. He was found guilty by a jury last year. He was also ordered to pay $2000 reparation to the complainant, who was known to him.

According to the police summary of facts, an argument occurred between Marsh and the woman at a Rotorua address in September - October 2012 and she told Marsh to leave. He did so but returned and told her he wanted intercourse. The woman refused.

Judge Phillip Cooper said Marsh then held the woman down and indecently assaulted her. "The complainant felt powerless ... the act only stopped when her son yelled to leave his mum alone."

The male assaults female charge was in relation to an incident when Marsh kicked the woman's leg and grabbed her, resulting in bruising.

His lawyer, Martin Hine, said Marsh had no history of this type of offending and the references supplied to the court stated he was a "well regarded, hard working man".

Referees were shocked to hear of the offending as it was out of character.

"He has no relevant offences and is responsible towards employees and his small business that would likely fail if sent to prison," Mr Hine said.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Hill said he did not consent to home detention because of the seriousness of the offending. When $2000 was offered as emotional harm reparation the court was adjourned while one of Marsh's family members went to the bank to withdraw the cash.

Marsh also pleaded guilty to one charge each of common assault and intimidation, which happened in January and November last year involving the same complainant. He was ordered to come up for sentencing if called upon within 12 months.