An army recruit felt pressured to perform sexual acts with an instructor as a way of helping her platoon, a court martial has heard today.
The week-long proceedings resumed in Linton this morning with the prosecution's final witnesses taking the stand.
Non-commissioned officer Bombardier Phillip Manning, 27, is facing several charges of sexual misconduct. He pleaded guilty to six of these on Monday but denied a further six relating to sexual violation and indecent assault.
The first witness to take the stand described a discussion she had with one of the complainants who told her she had "slept" with Bombardier Manning.
The witness says she then spoke with the defendant a "day or two" later who denied the allegation. She said he called the complainant a "little s*** talker" and approached her about the accusations.
"He spoke to (complainant) who changed her story and denied it happened."
Defence lawyer Paul Murray asked the witness if she felt the complainant had described a consensual act, in which she replied 'yes'.
The second witness, who was close friends with the complainant, said she was also told Bombardier Manning and the recruit had been "sleeping" together. Upon further questioning, the complainant told her Bombardier Manning had changed sentry schedules so they would be paired together. She also claimed to have performed oral sex on Bombardier Manning in a gun pit.
The witness described the complainant as socially awkward and unable to get along with her female peers. She said her friend felt participating in these acts was a way of contributing to her platoon.
Mr Murray put it to the witness that the complainant had never expressed Bombardier Manning was forceful and these acts were consensual.
She agreed this was possible but said further contact with the complainant showed she was "very willing" to please and do things for other people.
The court martial before Judge Charles Blackie is expected to finish on Friday.
By Alecia Rousseau of the Manawatu Guardian
