The trial of a senior police officer accused of sexually assaulting two women in 2002 and 2003 that he met while working has continued at the Auckland High Court today.
Northland Detective Inspector Kevin Burke has pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual violation against the two complainants.
Today Crown Prosecutor Jo Murdoch asked Burke about a police notebook he used in 2002 when visiting the second complainant on a police matter.
The complainant told the court last week she first met Burke in July 2002. Burke first visited her home after she'd been stabbed by her partner. Burke was appointed as officer in charge of her case.
Murdoch asked Burke why he wrote the year he was born, 1957, and the year the complainant was born in his police notebook.
Kevin Burke denies allegations that he sexually assaulted two women. (Source: Other)
The Crown went on to state that the writing on the page showed calculations which revealed the difference in age between he and the complainant.
Murdoch told the court room the calculation was completely inappropriate.
"The age difference between you and the victim has no relevance to the job you were doing," the Crown said.
"I disagree. It was for professional reasons. I was trying to protect her," argued Burke.
The Crown then questioned why Burke appeared to have subtracted the dates where he’d written the calculations on his notepad.
"They’ve been obliterated with scribbles so they cannot he seen," the Crown said.
Burke said it wasn’t unusual to cross out notes taken on notepads.
The trial continues at the Auckland High Court before Justice Sarah Katz.
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