New trial for brothel owner

The trial of brothel owner Michael Hastie on charges of illegally using a 15-year-old girl as a prostitute has been abandoned and a new trial ordered.

Judge David Ongley ordered the retrial for Hastie at New Plymouth District Court yesterday, but suppressed the reasons for his decision, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

Hastie, 58, of New Plymouth, has denied charges.