Kapiti councillor elects trial by jury for indecent assault charges

Kapiti Coast District councillor David Scott is accused of indecently assaulting a female staff member. Photo / Mark Mitchell

By Melissa Nightingale

The Kapiti councillor accused of indecently assaulting a female staff member has chosen to have a jury trial on the matter.

David Scott, 71, is accused of coming up behind a council manager while she was speaking to the mayor and pressing his body against her on April 13.

He earlier elected a judge-alone trial but appeared in the Porirua District Court this morning where his lawyer asked that the case instead go before a jury.

Scott was barred from entering council buildings after the allegations surfaced in April.

He is also not allowed to associate with witnesses in the case, including mayor K Gurunathan, except for work purposes.

Scott first appeared before Judge James Johnston on May 19.

Part of his bail conditions barred him from the Kapiti Coast District Council address in Paraparaumu.

He was remanded on bail to 12 September for a call over in Wellington.