File photo: NZMEWhat began as a routine trial quickly veered off course as jurors appeared to fixate on the complainant, her underwear choice and her sexual history. Within hours, their questions seemingly exposed outdated misconceptions about women and sex, forcing the judge to abandon the trial altogether. Two hours later, the jury submitted three further questions that brought the trial to a sudden halt. Crown lawyer Jeremy Cameron applied for a mistrial, submitting the questions indicated the jury was engaging in impermissible reasoning. You are discharged.”A new trial began the following week, where a new jury found the defendant guilty of sexual violation.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 16, 2026 19:30 UTC