Two well known New Zealanders say they were misled over references they provided for Tony Veitch, who was convicted yesterday of bashing his former partner.
Dame Susan Devoy and Dave Currie, the Olympic and Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission, both say they were asked to write references to support Veitch's application to get his passport back.
They had no idea the references would be used by Veitch in court when it came to his sentencing.
Dame Susan Devoy is fuming.
She has been badgered since it was revealed she was one of twenty prominent New Zealanders listed as character references in court.
Ms Devoy says Tony Veitch's father asked her to write the reference for a passport application. She had no idea it would become part of a court file.
“I didn't know that he was going to plead guilty to a very serious crime and that I was going to be used as a character reference. I mean that's a whole different issue if you're asked to do something. I just feel misled,” she said.
Dave Currie says he was also under the same impression.
“Tony called me a couple of days ago and said that he was applying for his passport and would I give him support with that.”
While Mr Currie does not regret writing the reference, he says it came as a surprise to find it had surfaced in court.
“It was kind of a different matter here, the context in the media was the case might not come to court for another two years and his life has got to go on and he's got to try and deal with things and so I thought to be able to move his life on in some way - a passport seemed to be a reasonable thing to do.”
Veitch's lawyer Stuart Grieve says he did not approach people for references - he simply told his client that references may be required.
However, Mr Grieve says he does not know the basis on which they were given.
The references were mentioned during sentencing.
“The numerous character references I have received from a variety of prominent New Zealanders attesting to your good character is a testament to the fact that this single act is very much out of,” said Judge Jan Doogue.
3 News could not reach Tony Veitch for comment, but at least fourteen other New Zealanders including colleagues and sportspeople say they were happy for their references to be used in court.
But not Dame Devoy.
“I unwittingly have become involved and i don't wish that on myself or my family or anyone and it raises real genuine questions about your own character and integrity and I just would really like to dig a big whole and go away for a while actually.”
Dame Devoy is now considering whether to take legal action.
Her letter, she says, finished with a line stating it was for a passport application. That line was not on the document before the court.
3 News