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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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Three Dutch tourists who claimed
they were robbed at gunpoint near Akaroa today admitted they made the whole
story up. Antonino Salamone, 29; Bart
Stevens, 19 and Johan Van De Lande, 20, today admitted making a false
complaint and were convicted and discharged when they appeared in
Christfchurch District Court today. The trio was arrested as they
tried to leave the country yesterday. It emerged today that they had
been involved in a road rage incident while travelling in their campervan and
the vehicle had been damaged after a beer bottle was thrown at it. In an attempt to explain the
damage to the campervan they concocted a story about being robbed at gunpoint
by three Polynesians on February 10. Today they admitted the story had
been invented, saying it had been "a fit of stupidity.'' Judge Stephen Erber convicted the
men and discharged them. The offence normally carries a fine, but the men
have no money to pay a fine. Judge Erber said the men's actions
had attracted adverse publicity and caused the Akaroa community anxiety. The trio are heading back to
Australia where they have been based. |
