Budding Kiwi cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn faces assault charges

Budding Kiwi cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn faces assault charges: Northern Districts cricketer Scott Christopher Kuggeleijn has been remanded on bail after pleading not guilty to charges of sexual violation and indecent assault. The charges are related to allegations by two separate victims of two different incidents that took place in March and May 2015.

The allegation of sexual violation by way of rape is related to an incident on May 17, while the allegations of indecent assault pertain to incidents that took place between March 2 and 6. Kuggeleijn was represented by Philip Morgan QC, when he appeared before community magistrate Susan Hovell in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday.

The 23-year old all-rounder, who toured England last year with NZ A, pleaded not guilty to both charges and elected to stand trial by jury. Kuggeleijn played for Wellington for two seasons, but moved back to Hamilton in 2013, where he was born and raised. In 2014 he was named Northern Knights bowler of the year, having taken 58 wickets across Twenty20, one-day and Plunket Shield, but also cricketer of the year as the most outstanding player in domestic competitions that season.

He is also the son of former New Zealand and Northern Districts cricketer Scott Kuggeleijn – best known as the man who took the catch to give Richard Hadlee his world record. (Philip) Morgan (QC) asked for Kuggeleijn’s passport not to be surrendered, so he could continue to play overseas.

The trial is expected to take place in 12-18 months and if he couldn’t travel during that time it would be a “death blow to his career” said Morgan.

Northern Districts Cricket chief executive Peter Roach declined to comment about the charges with the matter before the courts. He gave no indication as to whether Kuggeleijn would be named in the Knights’ squad next month. “I’m not going to provide a running commentary through the media … We want to keep our counsel on that at this stage and we are not allowed to talk about the contracts at any rate”. All these issues will be confronted over the course of the coming days.”

Police wanted Kuggeleijn to give up his passport fearing that he could abscond. But lawyer Philip Morgan QC said Kuggeleijn was not a flight risk and losing his passport would be a death-blow for his career with a trial up to 18 months away. Mr Morgan also successfully got permission for Kuggeleijn to be able to consume alcohol after community magistrate Susan Hovell rejected police concerns that drinking had led to the alleged offending. Name suppression was not sought and Kuggeleijn was remanded on bail to reappear on September 24.

When contacted by the media, Kuggeleijn’s mother Jenny Scown was adamant the charges against him were false. “He has been totally set up. He’s totally innocent … It’s all bullshit and jellybeans.”