5 Nov 2019

Murder trial hears doctor supplied teenagers with drugs, alcohol

From Morning Report, 6:40 am on 5 November 2019

A jury in Dunedin has been told a former doctor on trial for murdering a 16-year-old girl used to supply her and other teenagers with drugs and alcohol.

The court also heard that Venod Skantha had offered Amber-Rose Rush tens of thousands of dollars for sex.

He is on trial for the murder of Ms Rush and threatening to kill four others, including a 16-year-old boy, to cover up the crime.

The teenager was found dead in her bed by her mother on 3 Februrary, 2018.

The trial is expected to last about a month with more than 90 witnesses to be called.