Navy petty officer pleads guilty to assault

A 44-year-old Royal New Zealand Navy petty officer who entered a trainee's bedroom while she was in her nightclothes pleaded guilty today to common assault after a charge of indecent assault was withdrawn.

Bill Waa also admitted a second charge of doing an act likely to prejudice service discipline.

The court-martial at HMNZS Philomel at Auckland's Devonport Naval Base was told Waa visited uninvited the home of a 19-year-old trainee, who was under his instruction at HMS Olphert, a naval reserve unit, in Wellington last year.

He persuaded her to let him into her bedroom, while she was wearing only pyjamas and a dressing gown.

He then gave her a bear hug while teaching her to tie knots using her dressing gown cord.

Waa expressed remorse for his action, and a letter he wrote to the woman was presented during the hearing.

A victim impact statement was also submitted, but Waa's defence lawyer Bruce Stainton requested it should not be read aloud in court.

Waa told the court he would be retiring from the Navy on May 29, after 19 years and 11 months service.

The case is continuing.

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