Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

PR campaign hindering Veitch prosecution - police

Updated at 2:00 pm on 27 August 2008

Police say a public relations campaign is undermining their investigation of former sports broadcaster Tony Veitch and the resulting prosecution.

The Sunday Star Times newspaper has published details that police say appear to come from their summary of facts about the case. The Herald on Sunday and Sunday News newspapers published similar information.

The Criminal Bar Association has criticised police for issuing too much information about assault charges against Mr Veitch before a trial is held.

President Graeme Newell says any information that gives potential jurors one side of a case is prejudicial, and could lead to a judge dismissing the case.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard says the Sunday newspapers appear to have used information from a police summary.

But Mr Beard says police never provided the media with details about the case.

Mr Veitch faces six counts of assault and one of injuring with reckless disregard. His public relations representative denies passing information to the media.

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