Trial over

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 230, 9 February 1988, Page 5

Trial over

An Army courtm a r tial that was drawn out in a series of re-trials over 11 months, ended finally on 29 January. Staff Sergeant I.D. Barnes, formerly of the Royal New Zealand Medical Corp was found guilty by a four-member court martial board.. Judge advocate Charles Blackie and Colonel Piers R e i d presided. S.Sgt Barnes faces 12 months imprisonment and a dishonourable discharge . from Her Majesty's Service after being found guilty on a charge of sexual violation of a female soldier with Army Training Group, Waiouru. The offence occurred in January 1987. He

was found not guilty on another charge of indecent assault. An alternative charge of indecent assault was dismissed. An initial finding in February of last year was quashed by the Court Martial Appeal Court on a technicality. A re-trial ordered for October was dissolved when a member of the court martial board and a witness were seen talking. The final trial which began on 27 January 19 88 lasted three days. During that time proceedings were open to the public with the exception of when the complainant delivered her testimony. Defence counsel Mike Bungay was assisted by attorney Mike Lance, Prosecutor was John Rowan of Wanganui.