Robert Scott. PHOTO: ROB KIDD A Dunedin businessman accused of multiple rapes has been described as ‘‘a wonderful man’’ by his partner. Robert Scott, 69, is on trial at the Dunedin District Court facing six charges of rape, two of indecent assault, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and three charges of assaulting a female. All charges relate to the same woman. The Crown alleged Scott was caught committing some of the sexual crimes on videos the complainant took. But the defence argued the videos were ‘‘a setup’’ and the complainant’s behaviour was not genuine. Yesterday, the defence’s case continued with counsel Fiona Guy Kidd KC calling Scott’s partner, Wendy Stevenson, as a witness. She described Scott as ‘‘a wonderful man’’. ‘‘He’s an amazing man ... he’s a self-made man and I admire that,’’ she said. Ms Guy Kidd said the complainant had described the defendant as a ‘‘sex maniac’’. Scott’s partner said that was wrong. ‘‘I think that’s a disgusting thing to say, a ridiculous thing to say,’’ Ms Stevenson said. ‘‘I don’t believe that’s the case.’’ The complainant had alleged Scott urinated on her while she was in the shower. Ms Stevenson said he had never got into the shower with her, was ‘‘shy’’ about being seen naked and certainly had not urinated on her. She also said Scott had never physically assaulted her. Ms Guy Kidd asked the woman if she had any criminal convictions and she replied she did not. But it was later revealed she had a conviction for theft from 2009 after she admitted taking $40 cash from someone’s locker. She was ordered to pay reparation and her sentence was deferred for 12 months. Ms Stevenson explained she believed the conviction had been wiped from her record as it was so long ago. ‘‘I thought after 10 years it had gone away,’’ she said. ‘‘I didn’t try to mislead anybody here today.’’ She explained the offending occurred during a ‘‘dreadful’’ time in her life. Crown prosecutor Craig Power suggested the witness had ‘‘made up’’ some of her answers to assist her partner. The witness denied lying and said she would not want to be with someone she had to lie for. The defence case is expected to finish tomorrow. felicity.dear@odt.co.nz
