Nattrass trial uprooted for NZ evidence

The Aaron Nattrass fraud trial was adjourned yesterday to New ealand for further evidence to be taken from witnesses there.

Judge Duncan Kilgour, presiding, told the District Court it was in all parties' interests to grant the Crown's application to allow him 'first-hand observation of witnesses' in New Zealand.

Judge Kilgour has been appointed the sole examiner by a High Court judge in New Zealand to sit during the Auckland proceedings, which are to last for about two weeks and will begin on Monday.

The entire court, consisting of the judge, prosecutor Peter Cahill, defence barrister Andrew Raffell, Nattrass and two officers from the Independent Commission Against Corruption, will move out of Hong Kong.

New Zealander Nattrass, 37, has pleaded not guilty to 13 fraud and deception charges. The trial is to return to Hong Kong on March 17.