20 Dec 2019

Prominent businessman in Samoa convicted of indecent assault

3:14 pm on 20 December 2019

A former board chair of the National Bank of Samoa has been convicted of indecent assault.

Samoa's courthouse

Photo: RNZI/Sally Round

Peter Arthur Meredith, who is a prominent businessman, was found to have indecently assaulted a woman who is a manager of a tourist resort.

The incident took place in July at a house rented by the victim and her husband with a child from a friend of the defendant.

Mr Meredith pleaded guilty to the charge in the district court.

He was also charged with attempted rape but the charge was withdrawn on the request of the victim.

The court has ordered the defendant, 66, to pay a $US2500 fine to the victim.

He also received a suspended jail sentence of 15 months from Justice Alalatoa Rosella Papalii.