30 months in UK jail for sex assault

Justin von Tunzelman

A New Zealander convicted of sexually assaulting a woman who passed out after drinking in London has been jailed for 30 months.

Justin von Tunzelman, 37, was found guilty in July of stripping and groping the woman after they drank at a pub in July last year.

During his week-long trial in July, the court was told von Tunzelman, an investment banker, found the 29-year-old woman passed out in an office .

A witness was "shocked" to enter the room later in the evening in July last year to find von Tunzelman and the woman naked.

Von Tunzelman claimed he had suffered drink-induced amnesia, but was found guilty of the sexual assault on the woman by a majority of 10-2.

He was cleared of a second count of sexual assault of fondling the woman in the pub.

In sentencing von Tunzelman yesterday, Judge Stephen Robbins called his behaviour "appalling conduct", London's Evening Standard reported. "Alcohol has been the cause of your downfall. You denied the offence and the victim had to give evidence in this court ... You knew perfectly well this woman was too drunk to take care of herself and you exploited that situation."

Von Tunzelman will have to sign the Sex Offenders Register. He may be deported after he has served his sentence.

Von Tunzelman was educated at Auckland Grammar and Otago University. He had prior convictions in New Zealand for trespass, assault and offensive behaviour after waving his genitals at a female security guard at Te Papa on New Year's Eve 1999, and biting and scratching a guard who tried to escort him away, the Herald on Sunday reported earlier this year.

- NZPA