October 16, 2008

Custody remand after sex offences admitted

Name suppression was refused for a Woolston man, Allan Bruce Hotter, who admitted sex offences against a girl.

The 41-year-old labourer pleaded guilty to charges of sexual violation of the girl using his fingers, and indecently assaulting her. The charges are representative, indicating the offending occurred more than once, and they are said to have occurred during 2007 and the first half of this year.

He also admitted wilfully attempting to obstruct the course of justice by texting the girl to get her to change her complaint to the police.

At Hotter?s appearance today in the Christchurch District Court, police prosecutor Trudi Aickin withdrew another sexual violation charge, and a charge of doing an indecent act with intent to offend the girl.

Judge Philip Moran did not have the police summary of facts read in court, and remanded Hotter in custody to February 5 for a probation report and sentence.

He refused an application by defence counsel Serina Bailey for interim name suppression.

There was uproar in court several weeks ago when Hotter made his first court appearance. A group of women was ordered out of the court when they began shouting at him as he stood in the dock, and a group of men began shouting and name-calling as he was led back to the cells after being remanded in custody.

By contrast Hotter?s appearance today to enter the guilty pleas passed quietly.

He has been remanded in custody at each appearance and Mrs Bailey made no application today for his release on bail pending sentence.