Michael Jackson will win case says Kiwi employee

A New Zealand man who worked with Michael Jackson is standing by the embattled pop star as he stands trial for child molestation.

Rob Henry was Jackson's assistant on the 1987 Bad World Tour, responsible for Jackson, his security, management, solicitors and camera crew. He had daily contact with the man he described as "down to earth and nice", and, sick of the media twisting the King of Pop's image, he has spoken out.

"I can't speak highly enough of the man. I would leave my 3 1/2-year-old with him tomorrow," he told the Herald on Sunday from his home in Whangarei.

Jackson is facing allegations that he molested a then-13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland, plied him with alcohol to seduce him and plotted to kidnap the boy and his family and hold them prisoner.

It is a situation Mr Henry described as "ludicrous". He saw Jackson with children, and saw nothing untoward in his behaviour.

He claims to have first-hand knowledge of how the press painted a picture of "wacko" Jackson. He rubbished stories about Jackson's penchant for bathing in Evian water - a tale made up by the press, he says, after seeing bottles of Evian for a crew of 290 people delivered to the hotel. Disguises Jackson wore to avoid being recognised were made out to be a fascination with dress-ups, said Mr Henry. Jackson's one fault, said Mr Henry, was that he was too naive.

Mr Henry believes Jackson will walk free, and will fight back with "an album bigger than Thriller". He had contacted Jackson's assistant, and he said the message to fans in New Zealand was to keep supporting him through his music.

"He's found a lot of strength, and I think he will stand up to them this time. I think he's learned a very big lesson."


- Herald on Sunday