Editorial: Veitch case a sorry saga

The plea-bargain which brought an end to the case against Tony Veitch was the most sensible exit for all concerned from a tangled situation. He admitted on Thursday a charge of reckless disregard causing injury; in return, the prosecution withdrew six other charges of male assaults female.

Veitch has said, at different times, that he had been looking forward to his "day in court" and that waiting two years for a substantive hearing in a clogged court system was intolerable. The latter point is one with which anyone would sympathise.

Veitch's admission of guilt and the punishment served up to him should have signalled an end to the saga, but the case refuses to leave the headlines.

Veitch did himself no favours with his aggressive comments against certain media outlets outside the courthouse and he has been perceived in some quarters to lack remorse towards ex-partner Kristin Dunne-Powell.

He denies this allegation absolutely, citing emails stretching back to 2006. He is so upset by this claim that his family and friends are once again extremely worried about his personal health - yesterday he was the subject of a police hunt after he went missing for almost four hours.

The problems are exacerbated by the deeply concerning revelations over the way in which some high-profile New Zealanders were asked to write character references for Veitch's sentencing.

At least two of them say they were misled - Susan Devoy thought she was supporting Veitch's bid to have his passport returned. "I thought the trial would be in 2010, or later," she said.

Veitch and, indeed, Dunne Powell have used the services of some highly experienced and well-paid PR advisers over the past 10 months - now, more than ever, is the time for Veitch to heed some crucial advice.

He must remove himself from the public spotlight and forget any notion of further legal action. He needs professional healthcare to rebuild his shattered life. He needs to do it as much for his wife Zoe and family, as for himself.