A man who has been on trial on more than 40 sex offence charges has died in a motorcycle crash.
Garry John Jones had successfully appealed his conviction in 2014 for historical offending against eight girls, between 1975 and 1988.
The 64-year-old Auckland man's retrial began in the High Court in Hamilton last Monday and was due to finish next week.
Police said Mr Jones' motorcycle came into contact with the rear of a truck and trailer unit which caused him to lose control on State Highway 1, near Huntly, this morning.
The Crown Prosecutor has confirmed the charges have been dropped following his death.
