Restaurateur on sex charges

The retrial of a high profile Auckland restaurateur on sex charges began in the High Court at Auckland today.

Philip David Sturm is accused of 10 charges, including sexual violation, attempted sexual violation, and indecent assault.

Last year the Court of Appeal ordered a new trial after claims his trial had been tainted and the court was told he had been denied a fair trial.

The charges were laid after Sturm was alleged to have given young men drugs in order to have sexual contact with them.

Sturm set up Auckland restaurants Ottos and Cibo, and ran the Coast bar.

- NZPA