Story perspectives

Judge Acquits Woman of Decades-Old Abuse Charges

10/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A Wellington District Court judge found a woman not guilty of sexually abusing a boy in the early 2000s, citing reasonable doubt regarding the prosecution's case.
The complainant alleged sexual intercourse and touching while babysitting, but the woman denied the claims, stating she lived with her father at the time.
Judge Bill Hastings raised concerns about the reliability of witnesses.
Separately, landlord Peter Mazany was ordered to pay nearly $9,000 for failing to maintain a boarding house, which he attributed to misunderstandings of regulations and delays in demolition plans.

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Story summary

A Wellington District Court judge found a woman not guilty of sexually abusing a boy in the early 2000s, citing reasonable doubt regarding the prosecution's case.
The complainant alleged sexual intercourse and touching while babysitting, but the woman denied the claims, stating she lived with her father at the time.
Judge Bill Hastings raised concerns about the reliability of witnesses.
Separately, landlord Peter Mazany was ordered to pay nearly $9,000 for failing to maintain a boarding house, which he attributed to misunderstandings of regulations and delays in demolition plans.