A King’s Counsel lawyer representing a number one leisure determine on critical sexual assault and drug costs quoted lyrics by rap star Lizzo and pop star Kylie Minogue as a part of his closing argument to a High Court jury.

Ron Mansfield KC wrapped up his case to the jury of 9 girls and three males, who will quickly have the job of deciding whether or not the defendant, who has interim title suppression, is responsible of 25 costs referring to 9 girls.

This week marks the twelfth because the trial started earlier than Justice Layne Harvey.

The defendant has pleaded not responsible to 10 costs of indecent assault, 4 of sexual violation by rape, three of sexual violation by illegal sexual connection, two of tried sexual violation, two of housebreaking, one among assault with intent to commit sexual violation, one among supplying MDMA, one among supplying methamphetamine and one among wilfully trying to pervert the course of justice.

It has been the defence’s argument that a few of the girls banded collectively after being “encouraged” to take action by police and others following the primary sexual assault grievance from a younger lady. Mansfield mentioned it had resulted in a “MeToo fest” to carry down somebody who was profitable and fashionable.

To illustrate his argument, Mansfield quoted lyrics from Lizzo’s hit music, Rumours – noting it was most likely the “first and last time I get to refer to the authority of Lizzo in a court”.

“All the rumours are true, yeah, what ya’ heard, that’s true, yeah, I f*** him and you, yeah, if you believe I do that,” Mansfield learn to the jury.

Mansfield mentioned it was a graphic method of placing it however when an individual will get identified and or will get to the highest of their neighborhood, there have been “haters and takers” who would say no matter they needed about them.

“The trouble is when you get to a position in life when people think you are a success or have some influence, rumours start spreading and people want to take you down and if you’re not careful people just believe those rumours.”

Mansfield quoted extra lyrics: “I love hoes on poles, yeah woo, I am body goals, yeah. This s*** from my soul, yeah. Black people made rock and roll, yeah.”

He mentioned Lizzo’s music was mentioning she was not residing an ideal life and other people have been judging her, just like how individuals seen the defendant.

He then took the jury by Kylie Minogue’s current hit music Padam Padam as an example what goes on between two individuals who have been attracted to one another.

“…We don’t need to use our words, wanna see what’s underneath that T-shirt… I can tell that you’re all in, ’cause I can hear your heart beatin’, padam,” Mansfield learn to the jury.

He mentioned when two individuals have been eager, they didn’t enter right into a contract about how they need to behave or verbalise their intentions as that might be the “biggest turn-off in the room”.

“We tend to touch and feel our way through to seek if there is an interest.

“Sitting down and saying ‘these are all the things I would quite like to do with you’ doesn’t ordinarily go down that well or doesn’t ordinarily result in success. What people do is meet someone they like, they chat, there’s flirtation and then one or the other has a go… It can be a touch, it can be a kiss.”

Mansfield mentioned it was then as much as the opposite particular person to reciprocate, or not. If they didn’t, it didn’t imply it was a sexual assault.

The Minogue lyrics have been used as a part of his argument in regards to the first lady, who alleged the defendant sexually assaulted her after going into her room in the midst of the night time whereas she was away with him, his spouse and household.

It was the defendant’s proof he kissed the lady, however in hindsight, now knew she wasn’t eager. However, it was his proof he stopped making an attempt when she mentioned no.

It is the complainant’s proof the person picked her up off the bed and pushed her towards a wall the place he sexually assaulted her, regardless of her crying and saying no a number of occasions.

“People can have a go and can show interest and be rejected and there is nothing wrong with that,” Mansfield mentioned.

He reiterated to the jury it was a case of “intercourse, medicine and rock ‘n roll” and they must not look upon the defendant’s behaviour and as much as 40 affairs with girls as being one thing felony.

He mentioned there have been legal guidelines in place to dictate when individuals crossed the road.

“It becomes a crime when someone makes it very firmly known ‘I am not interested’ and that person carries on anyway.”

He mentioned the jury would possibly assume the defendant was “cocky and slightly arrogant” however he labored exhausting and performed exhausting.

He mentioned there might need been “an inflated view of his attractiveness”, however there have been no threats of violence or intimidation.

Mansfield mentioned girls might be promiscuous too.

“Both sexes can get up to mischief when under the influence of drugs and alcohol.”

He mentioned each sexes may additionally reinvent what occurred the following day after they woke and regretted their actions.

Mansfield hung out specializing in the police investigation, saying whereas the Crown mentioned the general public anticipated the police to research all allegations, he mentioned the general public anticipated the police to conduct inquiries objectively so they may current a good case.

He mentioned police didn’t ask for any telephone communications from any of the complainants to again up what they mentioned in proof.

“We have unearthed that in the course of this trial. Not only did they not ask for any communications between [the defendant] and themselves or between themselves and other relevant witnesses or complainants, they refused a request by the defence to do that.”

He mentioned the trial needed to be adjourned a few occasions after witnesses disclosed that they had communications related to the trial and that proof needed to be sought.

“We had to grapple with that during this trial.”

He mentioned complainants have been “all but encouraged” to not hand over related materials.

“Worse, you might think, we still don’t have it.”

He mentioned solely the police may seize the telephones that would have confirmed contact between complainants.

“Why was it left to the defence in this trial to go searching through social media to try and show connections between people… so we would know complainants had been in contact with each other?”

Mansfield’s closing is anticipated to proceed tomorrow. Justice Harvey is anticipated to sum up the case on Thursday earlier than the jury retires to think about its verdict.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for greater than 25 years, protecting primarily police, courtroom, human curiosity and social points.