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peterellis Home / abuse allegations / Peter Stewart Peter Stewart - News
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The National Business Review High-profile Christchurch businessman
Peter Stewart, 62, may have vowed to appeal his three-and-a-half year
sentence for historic sex abuse charges but some people close to the action
doubt he will. He is the eldest son of the late
Sir Robertson Stewart of PDL fame. He is the older brother of Robert Stewart,
who owns Skope Industries, and half-brother of Mark Stewart, who manages the
Masthead investment company. At the conclusion of Mr Stewart's
sentencing on Tuesday morning, reporters outside the court were handed a
media statement from a family member of the complainant saying the sentence
provided closure. The statement was signed by a prominent member of the local
business community and invited journalists to telephone him if they had
further queries. He cannot be identified because of
his relationship with the victim. When contacted, the businessman
suggested Mr Stewart would be unlikely to appeal his sentence because of the
possibility that the sentence could also be increased. (The lawyer acting for
Mr Stewart was congratulated as he took the lift to the ground floor of the
courthouse with the comment that Mr Stewart "should be out in 14
months.") The unnamed businessman said the
sentencing had ended "a horrific time". "You wouldn't wish it on your
worst enemy if you knew the effect it has had on the families involved - It's
time for a bit of healing now," he said. Meanwhile, the Stewart family has
reiterated their support for Peter. "The family, including
Peter's wife Pieter and their children, fully believe in his innocence and
are committed to fighting for that outcome. Preparations for an appeal are
already under way," a prepared statement said. |
