Former New Zealand police officer convicted of assault and blackmail

A former New Zealand police officer has been found guilty of 14 charges involving violence against three women. The convictions, delivered by Judge Ngaroma Tahana in the Manukau District Court, include indecent assault, strangulation, and blackmail.

During the trial, evidence was presented regarding an incident where a woman was assaulted in a vehicle and subsequently strangled at her home. The former officer also faced charges for blackmailing the victim using a recording of a panic attack and for damaging a woman's property. A second woman alleged she was physically assaulted, and evidence regarding threats against a third woman was also presented.

The defendant, who is no longer employed by the New Zealand Police, denied the assault charges but admitted to verbal abuse, aggression, and property damage. Name suppression remains in place until his sentencing in October.