Key Takeaways:
- Michael Ian Mclean, a 58-year-old man, is facing 33 charges, including performing indecent acts on a person under 16, grooming, and sexual violation.
- The victim, who cannot be named, alleges that Mclean befriended him at a campground and became a close family friend while sexually abusing him into his teenage years.
- The victim claims that keeping the secret from his family tore them apart and left him with serious mental health issues.
- The Crown prosecutor, Liesel Seybold, says that Mclean exchanged nude photos with the 12-year-old boy and began touching him, with the abuse continuing as the boy became a teenager.
- Mclean’s lawyer, Ron Mansfield KC, urges the jurors to treat the allegations as exactly that and not to jump to conclusions.
Introduction to the Case
The Auckland District Court is currently hearing the case of Michael Ian Mclean, a 58-year-old man who is facing 33 charges, including performing indecent acts on a person under 16, grooming, and sexual violation. Mclean has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case is a disturbing one, with allegations that Mclean befriended a boy at a campground and became a close family friend while sexually abusing him into his teenage years. The victim, who cannot be named, has spoken out about the harm that Mclean’s actions have caused, including damaging his mental health and tearing his family apart.
The Victim’s Statement
On Monday afternoon, the court watched a video statement taken from the victim, in which he spoke about the harm that Mclean’s relationship had caused. The victim stated that keeping the secret from his family had torn them apart and that it was "crushing" when he finally told them. He also spoke about the serious mental health issues that he has been left with as a result of the abuse. The victim alleged that Mclean was the manager of the Glen Innes Swimming pools and YMCA, and that he and Mclean had been close to getting caught a number of times. The victim’s statement was a powerful and emotional one, and it highlighted the devastating impact that Mclean’s actions have had on his life.
The Crown’s Case
In her opening address to the jurors, Crown prosecutor Liesel Seybold outlined the allegations against Mclean. Seybold stated that Mclean initially exchanged nude photos with the 12-year-old boy after meeting him and his family at a campground in 2015. She alleged that Mclean would tell the victim to delete the chats and even check his phone to make sure that it was all deleted. Seybold also stated that Mclean began touching the boy and that they would see each other over the years, with Mclean becoming a close family friend. The sexual abuse continued as the boy became a teenager, Seybold said. The Crown’s case is based on the allegations made by the victim, and it is up to the jury to decide whether or not Mclean is guilty of the charges.
The Defense’s Response
Mclean’s lawyer, Ron Mansfield KC, urged the jurors to treat the allegations as exactly that and not to jump to conclusions. Mansfield stated that Mclean says that the allegations are "nonsense" and that they did not happen. He also cautioned the jury about misconceptions surrounding sexual crimes, stating that there is no such thing as a typical sexual offender or a typical victim of sexual offending. Mansfield told the jurors that Mclean himself would give evidence later in the trial, and that they should consider all of the evidence before making a decision. The defense’s response is an important part of the trial, as it highlights the importance of considering all of the evidence and not making assumptions.
The Judge’s Warning
Earlier in the trial, Judge Simon Lance warned the jury about misconceptions surrounding sexual crimes. He stated that research shows that widely held assumptions about how frequently sexual offending occurs, and when, where, and against whom it occurs, are usually incorrect and do not reflect the reality of sexual offending. Judge Lance also stated that sex offences can happen in a variety of circumstances, and that it is therefore important for the jury to consider all of the evidence and not to make assumptions. The judge’s warning is an important reminder of the importance of considering all of the evidence and not making assumptions, and it highlights the complexity of sexual offending.
Conclusion
The trial of Michael Ian Mclean is a disturbing and complex one, with allegations of sexual abuse and grooming. The victim’s statement highlights the devastating impact that Mclean’s actions have had on his life, and the Crown’s case outlines the allegations against Mclean. The defense’s response and the judge’s warning are also important parts of the trial, as they highlight the importance of considering all of the evidence and not making assumptions. The trial continues, and it will be up to the jury to decide whether or not Mclean is guilty of the charges.
