29 Jul 2024

John Hope Muchirahondo on trial for more than 30 sexual assault charges spanning 12 years

8:34 pm on 29 July 2024
John Hope Muchirahondo

John Hope Muchirahondo appears in court on 29 July, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A man accused of committing sexual offences over a period of more than a decade is expected to be on trial for two months in Christchurch.

John Hope Muchirahondo has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges of sexual violation, and nine of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.

The alleged assaults span from 2009 to 2021, and involve a number of women, and locations in Christchurch and Auckland.

The Crown will be calling on 108 witnesses as part of its case.

Jury members were told to expect the trial to take at least eight weeks, and that it may run for 10 weeks.

On Tuesday, the Crown and defence will layout their opening arguments.