The Veitch saga to end today – thank God
The Herald reports:
Broadcaster Tony Veitch is to appear in court this morning for a hearing expected to resolve allegations that he beat up his former partner.
It is understood he will make a guilty plea, but it is not clear to which charge or charges.
Thank God. I could not handle another 18 months of Sunday newspaper stories about him or Kristin.
Obviously some sort of deal has been done. I expect he will avoid any jail time as part of the plea bargain.
Further comments when details known.
UPDATE: Veitch has pleaded guilty to one charge of “injuring with reckless disregard”. The maximum penalty is five years jail, but for a first offence a jail term would be surprising I would say. Not sure when he will be sentenced, but am glad this brings the media battle to an end.
UPDATE2: Veitch has been given nine months supervision, 300 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine.
I hope Kristin is able to go on with her life now, and can put this behind her. Being kicked in the back while on the floor sounds horrifying, and something that should never have happened to her. It doesn’t matter what provocation there may have been.
Veitch has an opportunity to move on with his life, but will always be known as someone who kicked a woman in her back, while on the floor. It is good for both parties that the trial by media has ended. From where I stand, it risked destroying both their lives, and maybe the lesson in all this is the assault should have been reported to the Police at the time.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Hmmm.. What are the charges again? Male assaults female and injuring with intent isn’t it? These charges carry 2 and 5 year penalties respectively. Unless there is no substance to any of the claims I’d be surprised if he got nothing…
April 16th, 2009 at 7:56 am
and by nothing I mean no jail time…
April 16th, 2009 at 8:03 am
N1TC – He is a ‘Slebritee’ who has rugby playing friends and was in on a cocaine and ecxtasy and steroid circle, of course he will not have to do any jail time.
Good god man, what were you thinking.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:05 am
As much as I hate to admit it sometimes the pinko’s are right.
Rich white guy manages to do a deal to avoid prison time, can you really imagine a “bro” from Cannons Creek or South Auckland being able to do the same deal?
Is there not an old saying about justice being seen to be done?
April 16th, 2009 at 8:11 am
you’re a pinko bb. pink dresses. ha ha ha.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:12 am
BB – that’s my point. And as stupid as some of the decisions that come out of the District Court are, and maybe this is being too optimistic, I’m pretty sure they are aware of this old maxim as well. He may get conviction and discharge or some sort of community sentence I suppose. Well I suppose we will know if I am wrong shortly…
April 16th, 2009 at 8:27 am
If Veitch is to plead guilty, he must go to jail, simple as that.
However…… He won’t, a deal would have been done and a slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket will be his lot.
Our justice system really does suck. One law for all???? HA!!
April 16th, 2009 at 8:31 am
NO JAIL time for the wimpish TV boy? WTF cops lock up everybody else for far less serious offences. What crock of shit. What else could I expect from a corrupt justice system.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:35 am
I’ll wait til lunchtime to express an opinion.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:38 am
“Is there not an old saying about justice being seen to be done?”
I don’t particularly like Veitch and I certainly dont agree with what he has done, but c’mon, this guy has already had the most disproportionate punishment on earth.
Name any other wife beater who has suffered the consequences Veitch has (job loss, publicly disgraced, costs paid)
There a sense of proportion here that people seem to miss, and I’m sure most of the venom is only because he’s of semi celeb status
April 16th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Oh D4J your knee jerk reactions make me laugh. This was no more than speculation by DPF – wait until the outcome is known…. and the facts. And then comment – notwithstanding the fact your opinion is already well known.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Jail time would depend on the Judge. In NZ sentencing is a separate process though the views of the prosecutor on sentence can help. In Veitch’s case a charge like male assaults female is unlikely to result in a jail sentence but injuring with intent might. But I agree with Patrick Starr Veitch has been hounded over this. Most celebs get protection with name suppression. But Veitch has suffered a witch hunt, loss of job and much else. There seemed to be a culture that said “lets get Veitch”. Not nice at all and I assume the sentencing Judge will take that into account when sentencing him assuming he pleads to some sort of offence.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Patrick your wrong, just because he has a profile job means nothing, or should mean nothing.
And I am sure there has been many a wife beater sent to jail and we applauded as he went.
Would you think the same if it was a child he beat??
April 16th, 2009 at 8:55 am
TVB – tend to agree. The media attention this has received has been disproportionat to similar cases commonly before the Court. Once again, trial by media in this Country. I’m not so sure I agree with your point on the sentence for male assault female without knowing the circumstances. The police tend to charge this offence in more serious assault cases so I wouldn’t be surprised if it attracted some prison time. I forsee him pleading guilty to some low level charge this morning – which again will be taken into account as a mitigating factor.
Michaels – if you read what Patrick and TVB have written in combination – this makes more sense. The grilling he has received will be taken into account, and should be, but not to the extent of exonerating him for what he did. Of course he should be held accountable, but these factors are clearly relevant to any “punishment” he is to recieve.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Maybe he’s done a deal where he get’s 3 months in a low security prison from which he can work, whatever the odour that has been generated by the media manipulation or media support in this case is truely revolting ( mostly Veitch’s side, but not totally ).
April 16th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Michaels – “just because he has a profile job means nothing, or should mean nothing.”
There are over 32,000 domestic violence prosecutions in NZ every year, I don’t see them all in the headlines doing the same name and shame
There are child killers out there who have suffered less than him- (with names we don’t even know) This whole thing is a rivalling network inspired game of ping pong
April 16th, 2009 at 9:05 am
What benefit is there for him going to jail?
He has had a very rough time already, and by all accounts supreme karma.
I am still uncomfortable with the notion that he was the only issue in this sad saga.
Were there extenuating circumstances? Was there ever assault on his person by his then girlfriend?
If he is a serial woman basher, then he would surely have repeated the offence with his wife.
Who was reportedly fully aware of the complete story.
If he was to go to prison, then I feel that the ‘obnoxious’ deal done as hush money should perhaps be reversed.
As they say, it takes two to tango.
I don’t know any of the circumstances, and have no knowledge of any of that group of the “IN Crowd’.
If true at all, the drug issue is particulary concerning. On that shit, anything can happen. Any couple resorting to using mind altering
substances should never be surprised if weird shit happens.
cannot be surprised that bad things will happen.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Patrick I don’t disagree with what you are saying, what I am saying is he should still receive his punishment as required by the law. One of the first things that “public” people must learn is to behave and keep clean or the public will follow and comment every step of the way. It just goes with the status they have.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Agree wholeheartedly Patrick – I don’t particularly like Veitch, but he has been well and truly dealt to by the media. Whatever happened to the presumption of innocence?
And a big ups to Murray Deaker, another broadcaster I don’t particularly enjoy for giving Veitch work this year, and giving the finger to the disapproving media machine. He has gone up in my estimation. Then again, Deaker has been to hell and back as well, so he will know only to well what Veitch has gone through.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Sentence is a matter for the Court. This is not America despite the constant reference to plea bargain. Negotiating sensible charges is regular and accepted. Plea bargain is a vulgarity (even if on occasions it is more or less that) and ignores the fact that leave of the court is required to amend and/or withdraw charges. Some Judges rubber stamp such changes. Others will request submissions/reasons.
The whole thing has been overblown from go to woe. Puke making.
Depending on the summary of facts if I was the Judge I would be tempted to convict and discharge. He has suffered more than any normal person. $100k reparation, lost two jobs, suicide, public humiliation.
Again depending on the summary it would be very unlikely for a first offender to go to jail even if the media breathlessly report “maximum of two years” for MAF etc.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:17 am
GM – There is some history there, but not stuff that I’d repeat publicly.
Regarding Veitch being hung to dry by the media, to some degree that is true, but I’d argue he fought like an absolute demon via the media to try & manipulate the story to his benefit & that is what means for all the harm the attention has done to him, I think he’s done at least as much to his ex & that part I find upsetting, remove that element & I agree his public “conviction” should have seriously mitigated the sentence, taken into account I say through the book at him.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:30 am
pleaded guilty to reckless disregard.
Couldn’t go to jail for that I guess.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:08 am
“Name any other wife beater who has suffered the consequences Veitch has (job loss, publicly disgraced, costs paid)”
gee i dunno.. how bout all the wife beaters that go to jail?
fuck dude. just because he’s famous. that kind of thinking makes me sick.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:13 am
gee i dunno – do you go to jail in this country on your 1st wife beating conviction?
April 16th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Has anyone considered that the evidence did not support the charges or that the complainant lost her bottle and did not want all the dirty laundry (including hers) aired in public. There could be any number of reasons for the downgrading of charges.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Sorry, “might not have supported the charges”. She could have changed her tune.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Dime, had you ever considered the possibility that there are many other punishment consequences out there in the world apart from jail?
April 16th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Gooner – sure. but i like jail. fuck em!
radvad is right though, she most probably embellished the facts.. got found out.. charges downgraded.
BUT if he is actually guilty of the attack, he should do time. it was brutal.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Compare the publicity of the Tony Veitch case with the one below. We have a law that punishes assault on a child more than common assault. We have a law that punishes assault on a woman more than common assault. There is no law that punishes assault on a defenseless elderly person more than common assault.
I believe assault on a defenseless elderly person generally far worse than an assault on a female especially if there was considerable provocation.
An elderly person in a rest home without visitors would have difficultly in complaining let alone blackmailing their abuser.
Tony Veitch has already been punished. I would not be surprised if this woman gets continued name suppression even if she is found guilty. If the alleged offender was a man I doubt if he would get name suppression.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10566811
Media gagged over Belhaven rest home hearing details
5:53PM Wednesday Apr 15, 2009
All details of the trial of a 60-year-old woman accused of gagging an elderly rest home resident by taping her mouth shut have been suppressed.
The woman, who used to work at Belhaven Rest Home in the Auckland suburb of Epsom, is charged with common assault.
She appeared in Auckland District Court today and has denied the charge.
Judge Allison Sinclair ruled suppression orders should remain in place for the names and occupation of the accused woman, the name of the victim and “all details of the case”, until she gives her verdict on June 22.
- NAZA
April 16th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Whatever the outcome, guilty or not, he should be discharged.
Tony’s paid his debt. to society, we’ve had our trial-by-media entertainment fix, the papers have sold their stories to us.
He is a special case because everyone who participated in the cult of celebrity – the forum discussions, the women’s mags, the nightly news bulletins – made him a special case. We give our assent through our actions. We were compliant with the game. Let’s not cry like babies that we can’t have our cake and eat it too.
Are you not entertained?
April 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am
It’s all over, no jail time for Tony.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am
The Herald has reported that Veitch will sentenced to nine months supervision and 300 hours of community service and a $10,000 fine . My take is here
April 16th, 2009 at 11:10 am
bugger link didnt work. thanks good god for the script
April 16th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Glad this is done and dusted, I always knew there had to be more to it than what was being blabbed into cyber space….
He has more or less had his balls dangled in a jar of hot marmalade by the media.
Glad this is the end of it….
April 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Does Ms Dunne-Powell get to keep the $100k?
April 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Veitch getting hounded out of his job, suffering public approbation and all the other shit are probably par for the course. Most other female assaulters suffer the same thing to varying degrees. Of course those without a public profile get their shit served on a local or personal level.
My only concern is why the media have really laid into him particularly. All Blacks have given their women a slap, or worse, but haven’t suffered to quite the same degree. Tony obviously has made enemies eh! I wonder who.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Dazzaman – it’s probably as much to do with the fact that K.D-P had all the required contacts to run the media campaign. A very effective and timely revenge attack it was too, just married and looking likely to land the Olympics gig and WHAMMO! Take-down!
Disclaimer: I always found Veitch to be one of the most irritatingly unwatchable meat-puppets on the idiot box…
April 16th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Has anyone heard Veitch on the Radio, you’ld think he was the victim!
He is going to sue. I’ll say that again ’cause I can’t believe it. He is going to sue the media for their (oh fuck this is too easy) their beat up of the story of how he broke his girlfriends back in two places.
He broke her back in two places and was surprised he was charged with assult!
Mind you he hangs out with sportsmen who get away with rape & assult all the time, so it is harsh for him to have been brought to justice.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Its 150k and she ambushed him in his own home. why wasn’t she charged with home invasion like anybody else would be. She had no right of entry but let herself in via a key in her possession and then proceeded to harass him. I would have booted her arse as well. More to do with other stuff in her life for which she is still receiving largess for counciling.
Malicious little miss muppet.
Why is it that the men are always in the wrong?
Why was a Detective assigned to an already settled case?
Why didn’t the ” Detective” asign proper responsibility to the first offender, Powell who entered a premises unlawfully?
More slack policing based on femmist rights.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Viking2 may be a little harsh but maybe he knows more than has been made public.
The feminists and their supporters make like he tried to bribe his way out of trouble. It sounds to me like he was blackmailed with the help of a lawyer her carefully chose his words so it was not technically blackmail.
I am sure Veitch wants to put things behind him but I hope he tells his side of the story. He is 34 and you can be sure he has had a few relationships before Dunne-Powell. One has already come forward and said there was no violence in their relationship.
I think we have to wait until more facts come to light. Just suppose that Dunne-Powell initiated violence on a number of occasions. Veitch did not retaliate because he went along with the point of view that there is no excuse for a man to hit a woman. She took advantage of this fact and he finally snapped.
I am not saying this is the case but there is no evidence that he is recidivist woman basher and bully.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
What’s god got to do with it?
April 16th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Just heard from someone(Unconfirmed) who appears to have a little of the inside track, that the victim of the Brutish attack was less than polite or sensible with the TV’s new relationship, now wife.
Quite a few stories there apparently, and if anyone need rabbits cooking?
April 16th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Well, yes Rakaia G, break someones back and they’d be mighty pissed alright! I have never heard of that charge before though, he obviously has a good defence team to get it downgraded from a more serious assault charge. Of course, the course of time could have something to do with it too.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Well I don’t consider myself a “pinko” but I’ll wear it happily given BBs comments.
Patrick Starr, I wish only to record my complete rejection of your analysis and leave it at that.
April 16th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
the master
master, I’ve played provincial rugby and been on lots of tours, all while I was single. The vast majority of groupies were just hanging out, ready to give the players a dose of their whorish talents. No one was under any illusions about it and very few or any were being had! We all knew what the game was about, on & off the field. OK, maybe there were some liberties taken by some of the boys, but none of the girls were there to find the love of their life.
It wouldn’t be any surprise to find that some of the girls who bring these charges against sportsmen are out to make a buck from their leg-spreading.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
This bum has got about 6 previous convictions for assault – he should be locked up – with a fellow assaulter – a really big bugger- someone who will give rather than take.
Hes atypical little short man who has “short man syndrome”
April 16th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Barry – what’s your source for that? I’m sure I heard John Tamihere (AFAIK an offical member of team Veitch) say on the radio this arvo that it was a once only, no track record of violence thing…
April 16th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Read the statements on clearnews.
Blackmail comes to mind along with a spiralling ACC bill. No wonder Smith can’t fix the problem
Sorry, but she ain’t lilly white.
April 16th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
barry – I’m with Rakaia George on that, what’s your source? I had been told that he had no previous convictions!
Are you sure you are not confusing the fact that he had 6 assault charges (against Dunne-Powell) dropped?????
April 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Viking2 (332) Vote: Add rating 5 Subtract rating 6 Says:
April 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Its 150k and she ambushed him in his own home. why wasn’t she charged with home invasion like anybody else would be. She had no right of entry but let herself in via a key in her possession and then proceeded to harass him.
You read or heard this where???
All I heard was she didn’t trust him and he caught her checking his phone.
And for that he kicked the shit out of.
All seem fair??
April 16th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Barry,
If V had 6 prior convictions for assault it would have been straight to the bin, do not pass go.
I’m sure that it will all come out in a womens mag in the next few weeks.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Is anyone else surprised that Veitch has stated that he will now be pursuing legal action against some areas of the media? If Veitch really wants to put this behind him then he would let it slide, surely. If he is thinking of bringing actions in defamation then he should be prepared to have all of this aired again – and to face defences which will require the same evidence being dragged up again, and much much more. While the media may have acted contrary to best practice here, I don’t see that there is a lot of merit in going up against them. Hopefully this was just a mouthy response that will not result in further action.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Dazzaman said “I have never heard of that charge before though, he obviously has a good defence team to get it downgraded from a more serious assault charge. Of course, the course of time could have something to do with it too.”
Wrong Dazzaman. The charge he pleaded guilty to, injuring with reckless disregard, was actually the MOST serious charge Veitch faced, with a maximum five years as the penalty. The male assaults female charges which were withdrawn were lesser charges, carry a max sentence of two years imprisonment.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
That’s right Inventory – and the injurying with reckless disregard charge was likely a representative charge in the first place so not so surprising the others were dropped.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Now the benchmark has been set I hope all other violent criminals are faced with the same consequesnces for first offences. To date the impact on Veitch has been;
300 hours community service
counselling
9 months supervision
lost his house (pay legal costs)
lost $750,000 in income to date
paid donation of $5000
paid $162,000 in compensation
2 lost jobs,
2 attempted suicides (optional)
18 months + public shame and humiliation
I cant believe anyone is even remotely opposed to a 3 strikes polices by comparison to this
April 16th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Patrick,
V was a mini Trump and had a number of investment properties so some of those would have been sold to fund things, like his counsel.
You ommitted the 10k fine as well.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Really? I imagined you’d prefer many of them went to prison.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
300 hours community service – standard
counselling – standard
9 months supervision – standard
lost his house (pay legal costs) – somewhat optional
lost $750,000 in income to date – fact specific
paid donation of $5000 – based on ability to pay
paid $162,000 in compensation – based on an agreement he made
2 lost jobs, – standard
2 attempted suicides (optional)
18 months + public shame and humiliation – if live off the media then lesser expectation that the media wont live off you.
In light of all that Patrick – I tend to agree that a precedent has been set – well thought through.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
“Really? I imagined you’d prefer many of them went to prison” FFS – I’d rather go to prison than that
alex – of course you’re right, the $10k fine – cheers
April 16th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Good luck with that, you could probably swing it by not sweeping the matter under the carpet & paying what looked more like “hush money” than “compensation”.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
The front page of the printed Herald had a list of his convictions dating back to 2002.
Now – I have to admit that I didnt read every word – but it is possible they were charges as part of this case – dating back to 2002 (in which cases the woman is a dumbo for staying with him) . But the dates immediately had me thinking that they were convictions.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Dammit.
I was still hoping for 8 rounds of “restorative justice” with Valerie Vili.
April 16th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
We’ll send her round, where do you live?
April 16th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
barry – correct; they were the charges against him. He has NO previous convictions – until this morning, of course!
April 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Will Veitchy do the commentary on the world kicking boxing champs?
April 16th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
well – the cops should have charged him with one of the previius episodes, then came back later with the others – that would have put him away.
Christ – the police are dumb sometimes.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Micheals; You need to read back a ways and you will find that information.
At the sentencing.
Veitch’s lawyer Stuart Grieve, QC, said the assault had occurred “in a context with elements of provocation”.
He cited notes from a counselling session that the couple attended two days after the assault took place.
Mr Grieve said Ms Dunne-Powell had told the counsellor that she had gone through Veitch’s cellphone while he was out of the room.
He said Ms Dunne-Powell told the counsellor that she had issues of trust. ( Indeed, long after they had separated. She was stalking him. No other conclusion.)
“What still confounds me, and even today it still confounds me, is my misguided belief that Kristin and I actually parted on good terms,” Veitch said (Clearly not in her mond. She obviously became obsessed.)
THE JUDGE Says. However, she stressed “it was an act of violence on an innocent party”. ( well hell no, being on the premises unlawfully, stalking, obsessed with Vietch, had plenty of her own issues that clearly she was incapable of handling. Not an innocent party at all and if it was possible the Judge should be castigated for her low quality of summation.
Perhaps the DI will now find time to go catch some really bad criminals, having wasted everybody’s time and lots of our money on an issue that was sorted out between the parties, albeit with a hint of blackmail, which is what finally happened aided and abetted by the DI and his Dept.
Rhere are crime labs out there waiting for you MR, but that would just be to tough wouldn’t it. Can’t do that from a desk.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Barry – you’ve got to be having a laugh don’t you? You obviously fail to understand a number of factors relevant to legal prosecution that led the police to act in this way. I’m not sure why you suspect the police are “dumb sometimes” – they are staffed by a compotent team of prosecutors, most of whom I suspect have a better understanding of charging practice and process than yourself. And even if it were a spotty young constable laying the charge, they followed best practice here.
If they followed your approach Barry – it is possible that all of the six charges may have been thrown out as having an insufficient evidential basis (but we will never know) – hence the laying of the injuring with reckless disregard charge as representative, for which he was eventually convicted.
And could you imagine the stress on the Courts your approach would result it? What an utter waste of time.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Let’s all hope that the new dawn brings an end to the sad and sorry episode.
Fair enough for TV to bluster against the various media outlets that were either too hasty to condemn, wholly inaccurate, or simply malicious.
Media is a bear-pit.
Get your own back on the Media Scrum by being the best you can be, and being successful.
If there is another episode like this, then he surely will deserve Porridge. And the key thrown!!
April 16th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
should have got jail, then
he’d know what it’s like to be
attacked from behind
April 16th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Good summary Viking.
Barry and co forgot that she wasn’t living in the house, he asked her to leave many times, he left the house for a while hoping she would leave, he came back and she still continued to go off, lay on his bed blocking his ears to stop the ranting, decided to leave again and she lay down to block the exit to the door.
I don’t condon kicking a female, but even the most patient guys would have lost the plot by this stage.
Had a mate with a mental ex like this. One night she came home and danced on the roof of his car and all he could do was stand and watch.
For every woman physically assaulted there would be several guys who’s been mentally fucked up by.
All the best for him suing NZ Herald, Radio Live etc.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Well it is time men got equal rights. Tony did the wrong thing but he has been remorseful. Some of my loved ones have had far worse treatmet and they have stood up and stopping playing the victim role and moved on. God we love being victims in this country!
April 16th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I see that Vietch’s mates in the media are already starting the “bring back Tony” campaign, Susan Wood, Mark Sainsbury and co are all offering up soft interviews with this gutless little wanker.
Lets face it, not only are our media fucking useless but they also show breathtaking double standards when it is one of their own under fire, they think nothing of chasing a story and ruining the life of some poor bastard yet when it is one of their inner circle the bastards rally around to minimise the damage.
Right from the start Vietch has used his mates in the media to attack the victim, Glenda Hughes carefully leaked stories to show Vietch in a good light while slandering the reputation of Dunne Powell, I would not be surprised if the so called suicide attempts were part of a carefully calculated campaign to cultivate sympathy and taint the jury pool.
Justice was NOT done today, the little wanker got away with it, instead of facing prison food and the unwanted attention of “bubba” the little prick is free to get on with his life, it is now official, rich white men can buy their way out of prison.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
When I was at the All Blacks v Wallabies test last year there was a sign that read “Vietch for fullback… he’s got the kicking game”.
Kinda mean, but had to laugh.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Big Bruv You need anger managemtn with an attack like that
April 16th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Why?, its a statement of fact.
I have an issue with men who put the boot in, sadly it seems that you do not.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
As much as I don’t want to enter into this ugly debate, I guess it’s what public forums/blogs are all about. And like it or not, this is about racism and privilege in New Zealand.
I liked Veitch as a sports presenter on One News. He had some spark, and seemed intellingent and knowlegdable.
Game of Two Halves was another matter. Generally, the show would descend into lavish sexual innuendo and school-boy pranks. That’s OK. I didn’t have to watch it. It was cheap to make and helped TVNZ fill it’s charter obligations. But it did say a lot for the mentality of a certain sub-culture (or mainstream?) that exists in New Zealand. That’s a separate issue though.
The issue is Veitch kicked his partner in the back with enough force to cause a serious and long-lasting injury. Alcohol probably contributed to this, but it ‘s no excuse. Most Maori/Islanders would be locked up for this.
Now don’t get me wrong – I am as white as you get, and unlike Maori/Islanders who aren’t high-profile sports-stars, Veitch had the luxury of employing a decent legal counsel.
And don’t give me that crap that’s he’s paid his debt to society. He admitted a charge, and bought his way out of it.
What happened to Clint Brown after a late-night alteraction with some drunken morons? (He was probably drunk too), but career ruined.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Noskire Veitch didn’t continue to beat his missus into a pulp and continue to do so every second night for the next two years.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Southern Raider, it only takes one action to be a murderer.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Let’s get back to the beginning.
Clint Brown from TV3 stuffed up big time at a Taupo motel, and TVNZ were merciless in the pursuit of him.
That left TV3 people pissed off big time about the antics of the TVNZ people.
So when there was a whiff about TVNZ’s Veitch, TV3 orchestrated a huge witch hunt. They would have felt good to have gotten even.
But there is something about this case that puts my bullshit detectors upon alert.
Veitch realised that he had done wrong. He knew that if it went to court he would be in deep pooh, and the former love of his life would get nothing. And, Veitch would have to spend a fortune on legal fees, public relations consultants and a court fine.
Look at it like a sensible person. You take $170,000.00 and we call it quits. It will save me a heap of expenses.
“Okay, I will take the $170,000 in full and final settlement.”
But the bint, after squandering the $170,000, wanted more. Does the bint have Maori blood coursing through her veins?
She lodged a claim with ACC but did not divulge the $170,000 settlement to ACC.
Her claim form to ACC revealed that she was reckless with the truth.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Tauhei
The “bint” was NOT the one to break the confidentiality clause, the “bint” is and remains the fucking victim in all this.
You and I would be screaming blue murder if some “bro” walked from a court essentially a free man after admitting kicking a woman in the back with such force that she was confined to a wheelchair for a length of time.
Frankly I am amazed at the level some people will go to in their defence of this gutless little wanker Vietch, it seems that because the bloke is involved with sport we are prepared to overlook domestic violence, nobody would be saying “give old Vietchy another chance” if he had a face full of tattoo’s (I know I would not be)
It seems that so many of my fellow right wingers who have been quiet rightly critical of the proposed separate justice system for Maori need to rethink their stance, how can they claim one rule and one punishment for all when today proved that is clearly not the case, if you are rich or well connected and white you can buy your way ot of prison.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Well said Noskire
April 16th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Well sensible sentencing should have a go on this – I dont condone violence but I would rather see a victim get $170 than get nothing. Jail is not the place for this case. Jail is for the arsehole who beat up the old guy last week in a violent unprovoked attack by breaking and entering a retirement village. The judge got it right today in my view.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
No, the judge did not get it right.
And the message is very, very clear. If you’re Paul Holmes, Daniel Vettori or even Alison Mau, you can ‘smack your bitch up’, and write a cheque for a ‘get out of jail free card’. (No insinuations whatsoever to the celebs mentioned, BTW).
April 16th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I have watched the interviews tonight of both Veitch and Dunne Powell and as she said ,only the 2 of them were there that night.He has accepted responsibility for his actions and paid a huge price. Good luck to them both on going forward and putting this all behind them.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Lets see who writes the first book.
April 16th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
barry said “well – the cops should have charged him with one of the previius episodes, then came back later with the others – that would have put him away.”
barry – the cops didn’t KNOW about any of the previous episodes until Ms Dunne-Powell made her complaint late last year. She never reported any of the previous incidents, so how could the Police have acted?
April 16th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
“You and I would be screaming blue murder if some “bro” walked from a court essentially a free man ”
well bruv – it’s soon to be special treatment for the bro’s and their ‘flatting’ prisons so why not buy your way out if you’re white and can afford to?
besides I believe she asked for the $150k, he didnt offer it – so why was it enough 2 years ago but not now?
April 16th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Game over.
Next.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Patrick
“besides I believe she asked for the $150k”, not as I understand it Patrick but in all reality that is irrelevant.
Ask yourself this mate, if it was your daughter or sister that this little arse wipe had kicked in the back would you still be of the same opinion.
I am no fan of separate justice systems at all, however what today proved is that we already have one.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
clint brown was being
obnoxious and got smacked for
it, end of story
April 16th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
many of you, including Bully Bruv have clearly not assimilated the information. Dunne-Powell caused the shit on her own head.
Illegally in the house, refused to leave, harassed and detained Veitch, spiteful, devious, and so it goes. Not content with causing the problem she complains about the retaliation.
There are probably 15 charges that could and should have been leveled at her but not in NZ under the PC, feminist bullshit regime that we have lately dispatched to New York.
That she got hurt is a complete result of her own actions. One would have thought all you right wing socialists would have been able to understand the issue of personal responsibility. Veitch was the only one that did.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
dad4justice (5180) Vote: 2 9 Says:
April 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Will Veitchy do the commentary on the world kicking boxing champs?
Did you REALLY think that was funny D4J?………did you?
You’re nothing but a wanker D4J, a complete and utter wanker.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Bruv
” if it was your daughter or sister that this little arse wipe had kicked in the back”
If my daughter – or sister who thought, and requested $150k believing it was adequate compensation then that would be her call. But I wouldn’t agree if she decided a few years later that she wanted further satisfaction. it’s one or the other, but not both.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been in the position of facing a serious assault court trial, but if you’re not normally a thug and have an otherwise clean slate believe me its a very sobering wake up call on where your life may end up – (and you don’t mix it up with the bouncers anymore- even if someone does put his hand up your girlfriends skirt) There’s nothing worse than waiting a year for a trial, and after you’ve forked out thousands (in Veitch’s case nearly a $mil) believe me, if your not normally that kind of bloke then you’ve learnt a life long lesson.
One kick to the back – yeah it’s a gutless act, particularly on a girl – but given enough pushing who knows whether you could snap the same way?
What good would prison do a guy who’s genuinely remorseful and already lost all his respect, his fortune and his career? – I think he’s suffered enough, Is he a danger to society? I think not.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Oh well big blouse. Your opinion means nothing to me.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Viking
Just got home from kicking the shit out of some “bitch” at the pub have you?
I suppose in your world it is OK to do that sort of thing because well “Vietchy” is one of the lads, hell, he even knows a few All Blacks and as well all know being an ALL Black means you can do anything you like to a “chick” without the worry of going to jail.
For you to suggest that she was hurt because she “asked for it” is beyond belief and adds weight to the outrageous man hating claims of the very feminazi groups you so despise.
It seems, like D4J, you are just to fucking stupid to separate a disgusting act of domestic violence from the righteous battle many of us have with the rampant feminazi element, please, do us all a favour and crawl back under your rock, those of us who are determined to fight the cancer of political correctness can do without your twisted logic or “help”
In case you missed it Viking, REAL men (no matter what the provocation) do not beat women, REAL men NEVER kick a woman when she is down and REAL men front up and take their punishment.
Frankly, you make me sick.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
big blouse, try kicking back a chill pill you nutbar.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Patrick
To answer your questions…
1 Yes I have, fairly recently as it happens.
2. No mate, NO amount of provocation would make me do that.
3. The fact that he is not a danger to society is not the issue, when it comes to the rule of the law then we MUST be consistent (here I imagine our resident lawyers are laughing out loud) Vietch only avoided jail because he could afford to do so, in no way can that be considered fair.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
big bruv- kindly stop
interfering with dad’s right
to abuse women
April 16th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Never assaulted a women in my life Haikookoo Dive, but don’t tell Mrs Blouse.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Bruv
mine wasn’t recent – 23 years ago but I used Kevin Ryan in a jury trial and got off. I must say I stopped drinking for 2 years afterward but nonetheless I’m sure you’ll agree it’s not a pleasant experience
I don’t think Veitch would have been imprisoned anyway. The judge did say she took into account his compensation but lots of people don’t get imprisoned for far more serious crimes than his.
I’ll go so far to say if he hadn’t been a TV personality the cops wouldn’t have even bothered with him – so the ‘rich white guy’ can cut both ways
April 16th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
# Viking2 (337) Vote: Add rating 2 Subtract rating 1 Says:
April 16th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
many of you, including Bully Bruv have clearly not assimilated the information. Dunne-Powell caused the shit on her own head.
Illegally in the house, refused to leave, harassed and detained Veitch, spiteful, devious, and so it goes. Not content with causing the problem she complains about the retaliation.
(how do you do that fancy cut and paste by the way??)
Viking I gave you the benefit of the doubt earlier but now have decided your a dip shit!
He was broadcasting in his little room in the house.
She was in the house.
She didn’t trust him and was caught checking his mobile phone.
He kicked her.
they went to bed.
He took her to hospital.
Dumb arse.
They both confirmed this tonight, forget all other crap you have heard.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Injury with reckless disregard. Very serious. And his lawyer (one assumes on instructions from Veitch) tried to claim there was provocation. Provocation ? What did she do? Point a gun at him? There’s alot to say here but I’m not going to splatter it all over Kiwiblog. I’ll keep it to my own blog.
I do have one suggestion for Mr Veitch however: Assuming you eventually climb back up the greasy media ladder and start pulling in the huge salary again how about donating 10% of your salary to the Salvation army or Women’s refuge etc? For say….the rest of your life?
Sadly judging from recent media statements today from the Veitch camp it appears he is instead going to now start spending his money suing various media organizations for ‘misreporting’ etc.
Oh great.
Should keep you in the headlines.
April 17th, 2009 at 12:45 am
How disgusting.
“That was not me…and will never be me again.”
The disgusting things to me are that:
a: he wants to sue media (ie., no true remorse);
b: NZTV wants to rehire him. ie., why aren’t there twenty applicants taking his job? As he is a burbling, obvious drug taking loser.
I was embarrassed to see him go from game of two washed up losers (Ridge and Ellis) to 1 Sports News.
Veitch I got some golden advice for you:
a: escape to Aussie;
b; do it, don’t threaten it you pussy.
Take a noose and kick out the chair and swing.
I have a personal hate of people who threaten suicide as a …God knows what.
Some kind of sneaky support seeking act.
So, I suggest u go to OZ and try to hide your wife girl beating tendancies until you die.
Best advice here so far.
You’re welcome,
Robert Black.
April 17th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Ok I just watched the Close-up, “Trial by media” article.
Oh my God what has happened to this country?
HE PLED GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!
I have to feel the trouble with this country is the low quality of the media. Either that or severe boredom.
Is it in the water?
Hey, I know, let’s get Maori prisons! Those bros will be supplied with free smoke and booze, run by local Iwis, who will be going around saying, “Don’t tell anyone bro, but hey you in the Whanau of my cousin and we hate those whities eh? Haha!”
Jesus what a country.
I think I’ll stay in China, New Zealand is a joke and that goes for you too, Mark Sainsbury!
April 17th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Ok and now even more disgusted just watched the Sainsbury interview with the almost crying female beater Tony Veithch.
Words escape me but I hope the career of the bumbling Tony Veitch and Mark Sainsbury are now at an end.
I think they are.
Not a good choice Mark.
He didn’t suffer a conviction, he said “Guilty.”
He is a fucking girlie loser yes.
You took his side…why? Because you are a f…journalist?
Haha.
I have been nailed off my head on various alcoholic beverages and drugs and had women refuse to leave my apartment.
I usually, call their friends and ask them to remove them. Or I just “suck it up” a drunk female.
I don’t kick them or beat them.
See you in the Sydney casino Tony and Mark.
Maybe you are a female beater too Mark Sainsbury?
Haha!
[DPF: 20 demerits for that last comment]
April 17th, 2009 at 2:52 am
Interesting posts but it feels somewhat erroneous to make the conclusions many make here. There are remarkably few facts on offer. The picture could be one of vietch pushes his partner downstairs, and then when helpless kicks her and walks away and leaves her injured. It could also be one of he did an act of violence that was much more spontaneous and less cruel. We DO know he did an act of violence involving kicking (quite nasty). We don’t really know whether it was really nasty and extended and that’s really important in terms of appropriate punishment. We also are not clear on the extent to which his ex-partner determined that a financial payment would be seen to be recompense and whether this was a vietch initiated act or not and the timing in relation to the original act. Also very important as this is an indicator of the degree of the effects on the victim from the victim’s perspective.
With the amount of spin from all parties, vietch, media, his ex-partner (remember PR were employed by all) and the legal restrictions it’s hard to get solid facts.
But … I watched the interview tonight on close up and there are a couple of physical reactions that indicate lying and/or guilt. These indicators include how and when one blinks (especially a “big” exaggerated blink in reaction to a question), a hand on the face close to the ear and looking up and away to the right. These are strong signals. Vietch had the “big blink” behaviour on almost all the difficult questions including the “Do you hate her” (or similar). He had a single occurrence of looking up and away to the right on a specific question, which implied his answer was a lie. He also put his fingers on right of face close to the ear, which is also a pointer to deception. This is probably the weakest indicator of lying but in the context of the other signals is very suspicious.
Not that the above behaviour constitutes facts but when one has strong physical lying signals one then is reasonably confident one is not getting the facts.
So, what am I saying? I would say he lied on a regular occurrence in the interview on close up. I wish I had recorded it to check. Did anyone else see this or have I finally joined the conspiracy brigade and need to buy a cardigan?
April 17th, 2009 at 3:23 am
The big blink?
How about the big wet flannel face?
God to think I used to respect the country formally known as New Zealand.
You imported left wingers deserve the Maoris. You really do.
I will be flying in after the holocaust.
Robert Black.
April 17th, 2009 at 4:33 am
‘the bloke made a mistake … it was inexcusable and maybe one day he’ll be given a second chance’
April 17th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Micheals, you are making noise out your arse. You clearly have not bothered to collect and assimilate all the known and reported information but simply rant on in some supposed mock indignation. In other words you are an uninformed idiot.
Plenty of men get subject this emotional abuse and blackmail and its Ok for a women to engage in this but not a man. Its ok for a woman to retailiate but not a man.
Bully Bruv. You have no idea what you are talking about. as usual. I don’t go to the pub and rarely drink, don’t beat women,
nor all the other shit you manage to conjure up in your feeble imagination.
Even the ladies who work for me happen agree with my assessment of the situation, two who have been subject to domestic violence in their 60 odd years of life. My wife agree’s. Everyone has a breaking point, even you.
Looking at Powels statement it’s full of the feminartzie counseling word speak so that should tell you something.
I don’t condone the kicking at all but do understand the underlying cause and effect.
You never know your limits in a situation, especially one as fraught as this relationship and its timelines.
Even her statement was another attempt to intimidate Veitch. Read it without a jaundiced eye.
I don’t know Veitch other than as a TV person who I enjoyed sometimes and sometimes not, so no particular axe to grind there.
Just have seen more than a few nasty little tramps do this to men.
April 17th, 2009 at 6:59 am
And the Herald setting out to defend its behavoir today.
They are up for defamation and now look how they behave.
One would have thought they should shut up and stop digging there own grave.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10567054
April 17th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Oh FFS Viking. Veitch was a pumped up steroid head who was doing class A drugs with his mates Ridgey, Ellis and Todd.
He lost his rag repeatedly and bashed his missus. Irrespective of any provocation thats just fucking weak and you are fucking weak for defending violence against women.
Real men don’t “smack their bitches up”
April 17th, 2009 at 8:10 am
“Robert Black (143) Vote: 2 0 Says:
April 17th, 2009 at 3:23 am
The big blink?
How about the big wet flannel face?
God to think I used to respect the country formally known as New Zealand.
You imported left wingers deserve the Maoris. You really do.
I will be flying in after the holocaust.”
I am not a left winger
Check your facts
Please don’t come back until you learn to check facts
April 17th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Viking
“Plenty of men get subject this emotional abuse and blackmail ”
That may well be the case however a MAN deals with it without resorting to violence.
“Its ok for a woman to retaliate but not a man.”
Yes it is, that’s just the way it goes, harden the fuck up.
“Everyone has a breaking point, even you.”
True, but when you reach that breaking point you still do not kick or punch a female.
April 17th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I have divided emotions on this.
No doubt about, Vietch was very wrong to kick her.
BUT
There are women out there who radically alter their personality under stress. My brother seems to attract them, psycho bitches from hell. I have had to grab my brother away in once instance why a certain female was trying to get him to attack her with extreme provocation, she had done this before.
Eventually he got done for assault when yet another psycho bitch (happens at break up time) attacked his car this rocks, causing damage, he grabbed her and pushed her down to stop her and that was it. Done by the cops who didn’t give 2 shits about justice. Lazy police work and now he has a conviction.
So I have a coloured view point on this.