9 Feb 2021

Jury chosen for trial of man accused of sexual offences against teens

7:36 pm on 9 February 2021

A jury has been selected for the trial of a man charged with sexual offences against teenage boys nearly 20 years ago.

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Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

Earl William Opetaia is facing 33 charges in the High Court at Auckland, including sexual violation, indecency with a boy between 12 and 16 years old, threatening to kill, and supplying cannabis and methamphetamine.

He denied all charges and reiterated his not guilty pleas in court this morning.

Most offences were alleged to have occurred in the early-to-mid 2000s.

A jury of six men and six women was selected this afternoon.

The trial is set down for six weeks before Justice Gault and will begin on Thursday.