NZ entertainer jailed for sexually violating boy

Photo / File

A Hawkes Bay entertainer who sexually violated a teenage boy seven years ago has been jailed for three years and one month.

The man, who was found guilty during a trial at the Napier District Court in May, had name suppression extended today by Judge Raoul Neave.

The court heard today that the 44-year-old man invited the teenage boy, then aged 17, back to his house to take part in a photo shoot. During the photo shoot the teenage boy was slathered in oil by the defendant and asked to pose for the camera in various stages of undress.

At some point during the encounter, the man "stopped thinking" and proceeded to perform a sex act on the boy, Judge Neave said.

"You proceeded without giving thought to whether or not the complainant was consenting or not."

He said the boy was at "no stage consenting" to the act and "just froze".

"He was out of his depth and didn't know what was going on."

Judge Neave said the incident showed a monumental lack of judgement and thought on the part of the defendant.

He said the effects on the boy had been significant and the victim was "mortified" at having to relive the incident through the trial.

"He still doesn't like having his photo taken or being in videos. He is yet to tell all of his family what has happened and may never be able to do so."

The judge took into account character references for the defendant and noted his prominent role in the community.

The man's fall from grace would be even greater when his name was released in November.

Judge Neave said the man still showed a lack of understanding or remorse and "he had only himself to blame" for his sentence.

He said if the man had pleaded guilty at an earlier date he would have had some credit during sentencing.

The man's lawyer, Roger Philip, said the offending was "opportunistic".