Graham Brazier defends assault charges

Graham Brazier. Photo / Richard Robinson

New Zealand rock musician Graham Brazier has been charged with assaulting his former partner.

Brazier is lead singer in the band Hello Sailor which first hit the charts in the 1970s.

They are about to launch one of their most high-profile tours in recent years, as support act for the re-formed Dragon, starting in Palmerston North next week.

Brazier has appeared in the Auckland District Court on two charges of assaulting a female.

Court documents show the alleged assaults on former partner Toni Aitcheson date back to 2009.

Brazier referred the Herald on Sunday to his lawyer, Sandy Anderson.

She said her client would "strenuously" defend the charges.

"He will totally and absolutely defend the allegations," she said.

"It is a risk of his occupation. The allegations are extremely unfortunate."

Brazier has pleaded not guilty and will reappear on November 23.

The singer, who turned down an offer to join The Doors in 1978 after its lead singer Jim Morrison died, now lives above a shop on Dominion Rd.

In 2007 he was a guest judge on the talent contest Pop's Ultimate Star. Through this show he met Aitcheson, who was working for the show's musical director.

Aitcheson told the Herald on Sunday she had known Brazier for many years and they became a couple in 2008. She said the relationship lasted about two years.

With the case before the courts, details of the allegations cannot be published.

Dragon and Hello Sailor are to headline the Gluepot Reunion Concert on November 3 at Auckland's Powerstation.