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peterellis Home / abuse allegations / Peter Stewart Peter Stewart - News
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One News Rape Crisis hopes a clear message
has been sent following a high profile sex abuse trial in Christchurch, in
which a prominent businessman was named. The High Court in Christchurch
lifted a suppression order on Wednesday and the man at the centre of the
trial was identified as 62-year-old Peter Stewart, the son of the late Sir
Robertson Stewart of PDL Industries who died earlier this year. He is also the husband of New
Zealand Fashion Week managing director Pieter Stewart. Stewart was found guilty two weeks
ago on seven historic child abuse charges, including one for rape, after
committing indecencies against his victim from the time she was eight to 15
years old, including sodomy and rape. His lawyer had planned to seek
permanent name suppression but abandoned that at the hearing. National Collective of Rape Crisis
spokeswoman, Andrea Black says to identify the man is mostly good news. She says it will send a clear
message that rape and other sexual crimes are not acceptable, Black says there is also no doubt
it will take a huge toll on his family. She says on average every rape
complaint affects 12 other people, including family members. Stewart will be sentenced on
February 12. |
