Auckland restauranteur Philip David Sturm has been found guilty on ten of twelve charges relating to sexually violation of four young men. The four complainants all had sex with Sturm, which they later said was non-consensual because they were under the influence of drugs. Six charges of stupefying with intent that had been laid against Sturm were dropped yesterday after Justice Chambers ruled that none of the four men were ever in a state of stupor, as he defined the term. Sturm had pleaded guilty to charges of supplying speed and ecstasy, but maintained that all sexual activity was consensual. He has been remanded in custody for sentencing in four weeks time. None of his victims were in court for the verdict.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 22nd November 2003 - 12:00pm