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A top New Zealand entertainer tried to force a young woman to perform a sex act, a court has heard.
The identity of the man will remain a secret after judge Eddie Paul granted him interim name suppression at the Auckland District Court today.
In August, the man pled guilty to one charge of performing an indecent act with intent to insult.
The court heard submissions from media organisations who wished to challenge the man’s request for permanent name suppression.
The man was due to be sentenced this afternoon, however Judge Paul reserved his decision until next Friday.
“To say that this is a day of great disappointment and regret for [name suppressed] would be a great understatement,” Mr Mansfield said.
The man’s lawyer, Ron Mansfield, said his client was very remorseful.
The charge relates to an incident earlier this year when the man had been intoxicated and walking home. The man and two of the females went down an alleyway.
He had encountered three young women who had asked to kiss him. “She was taken by the head and her head moved down to his genitalia,” Mr Mansfield said.
The third female later followed the others down the alleyway and approached him from behind.
Mr Mansfield’s client acknowledged he had acted inappropriately.
Some time after that the young woman contacted police.
The man had pled guilty at an early stage, had offered to pay reparations of $5000 to the victim and offered to take part in a restorative justice meeting with her.
The man had pled guilty at an early stage, had offered to pay reparations of $5000 to the victim and offered to take part in a restorative justice meeting with her.