Christopher Victor Todman, 72, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday for the second day of his judge-alone trial.
He earlier pleaded not guilty to five charges of indecency with a boy under 12 — but on Monday Judge Hermann Retzlaff dismissed one charge after the Crown opted not to pursue it.
Earlier, the court heard that two men alleged they were indecently assaulted by Todman in the 1990s when they were children.
One recalled staying the night at Todman’s house on multiple occasions with other boys and being forced to strip naked and bathe together while he watched.
Todman would then "select a kid" to sleep in the spare room while the others stayed in the lounge.
The witness told the court when he was chosen to sleep in the spare room the defendant gave him two white pills to take.
He alleged that on one occasion Todman groped him while applying ointment.
Another man said Todman indecently assaulted him during piano lessons at John McGlashan College.
He said the defendant told him to sit on his lap, then pulled his bottom into his crotch area despite his resistance.
Yesterday he told the court about the "indescribable terror" he felt during these incidents.
"I was completely helpless ... he could just overpower me so easily."
He recalled thinking "where’s this gonna go, what’s gonna happen, where can this escalate to?".
Counsel Deborah Henderson questioned why the complainant never asked to change piano teachers if he was being assaulted.
The witness responded he felt he did not have a choice and was too embarrassed to tell his mother.
Mrs Henderson said Todman never had the complainant sit on his lap during piano lessons.
Yesterday, that complainant’s mother gave evidence that she arranged a new piano teacher Todman’s behaviour at a recital made her uncomfortable.
After that she received a card from him addressed to her son inviting a relationship to continue. She told her son about the card before destroying it.
Mrs Henderson said Todman would tell the court he never sent any cards to the complainant or his mother.
Technical difficulties saw the trial adjourn early yesterday, but evidence was expected to conclude today.
