Road rage: Ponsonby CEO claims stress and financial ruin over supercar name suppression case

reporter He obtained a copy of the affidavit the CEO filed last week as part of an application to remain anonymous.

The man, who was also accused of dangerous driving, wrote that he would face “financial ruin” if his name was published in the media.

He claimed that the company he founded was based on many major international supply contracts that could be canceled “because it could bring their business into disrepute” if his identity was linked to the alleged crime.

The man said he had started his company from scratch and had no other qualifications or experience.

“I worry about my future if my reputation is damaged.”

Despite reporter He refused to be interviewed, offering the man multiple opportunities to outline his version of events.

In his affidavit, he claimed that the incident that led to his arrest was misrepresented in the media and was “incredibly one-sided”.

“The physical altercation that occurred was not at all as described.

“The media portrayed me as a scary person who would beat up an old man.”

The company director, who owns a $2 million property in central Auckland with his father, also claimed he is not as rich as people think.

“The media perceived my wealth as much greater than it was.

“I have a mortgage to pay and my car is on financing.”

He reiterated that publishing his identity could cause his company “significant reputational and financial harm.”

Finally, he claimed that being accused of the incident affected his mental and physical health.

“I was under great stress and had difficulty sleeping.

“I have seen the comments online and the obvious hatred towards the unnamed young person regarding these allegations.

“I was worried about going out in public because of the way the media distorted things.”

In his affidavit, the judge was asked to withhold his name to protect his reputation.

“I have a mortgage and I am worried that I will not be able to pay my mortgage due to the financial damage that will occur if an order not to be published is given.”

‘Sensual interest’

At a hearing in North Shore District Court on Friday, the man’s lawyer, Guyon Foley, asked Judge Tony Couch to grant a temporary restraining order until at least May next year, arguing his client would otherwise be subjected to “undue distress.”

reporter He opposed the application, arguing that there was a public interest in identifying the person.

Judge Couch accepted the order but warned that the man’s claims for “fair and only fair” pressure met the necessary threshold.

Addressing the defendant directly, the judge said that what had caught the public’s attention in this case was “the car you were driving.”

“The public who cannot afford such vehicles inevitably have a rather prurient interest in bringing people who possess such vehicles to court.”

When issuing the arrest warrant, the judge warned the defendant that the verdict was by no means permanent, especially if the man was convicted.

The judge also gave Foley a tick for turning over only a copy of his client’s confidentiality application and affidavit on the morning of the hearing.

He said that this situation negatively affected the media.

However, a gag order was issued preventing the media from naming the defendant or his company, and the matter was set for a judge-only hearing next year.

‘Up my ass’

The charges relate to an incident on the Northern Freeway.

The pensioner claims he was attacked on the roadside on Highgate Parkway after being “tailgated” by the businessman’s 2019 luxury vehicle.

In a written statement to police, the pensioner said he was driving north on SH1 when he noticed the sports car was “on my ass” and trying to overtake.

The man took over the sports car and moved to its left side as the driver waved and gesticulated.

“I gave him a one-finger salute thinking, ‘What a clown,'” the man wrote.

The pensioner then claimed the sports car allegedly swerved in front of the old man’s Kia and its speed dropped to around 60km/h.

He then felt a “bump” when the two vehicles collided.

After exiting Millwater, both cars were pulled over. The pensioner said he was walking towards the sports car when he allegedly claimed the driver “attacked me” and “started punching me left and right in the head”.

The driver allegedly pulled the old man’s tracksuit over his head and threw him to the ground, “continuing to rain blows on my head and body.” The statement claimed the driver was left “dazed and disoriented” and on the verge of passing. outside.

Both men filed police reports following the incident, blaming the other for the violent altercation.

The retiree’s family said they were surprised that the retired mechanic was accused and that they would defend the issue in the case.

CEO told reporter It was the retiree who was at fault, not him.

“I was attacked by this gentleman,” he claimed, adding: “There is a possibility that I could be injured.”

He declined to comment further after speaking with his lawyer.

Lane Nichols is the New Zealand Herald’s vice president of news and a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of experience in the industry.

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