A Christchurch religious figure has pleaded not guilty to more than a dozen sex-related and violence crimes.
The 45-year-old entered not guilty pleas in the Christchurch District Court to 14 charges of unlawful sexual connection, indecent assault, strangulation, and rape involving four women.
The man, who has name suppression, appeared via video link to a packed courtroom.
Defence lawyer Allister Davis put forward an application for bail, which was granted by Judge Quentin Hicks.
Released to a house in Auckland, the man’s bail conditions prevented him from leaving the property or contacting the complainants and church members.
Crown prosecutor Deidre Elsmore argued the accused was a flight risk due to the church’s ties to Australia and the Pacific Islands, where he has extensive wealth and international contacts.
She claimed the man could influence victims and their families as he “still has close contact with members of the church”.
Defence lawyer Allister Davis said he has his client’s passport “on my file which I am prepared to surrender to the court” and that, due to the claims coming from Christchurch, the man wouldn’t have the opportunity to influence witnesses.
He will next appear in court on April 23 where name suppression will be reviewed.
– reporting by Mason Herbert
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