Key witness in Scott Watson murder trial convicted for breaching protection order
Wednesday, 12 February 2020
A key witness in the trial of convicted murderer Scott Watson has breached a protection order.
Guy Wallace was one of the last people to see Ben Smart, 21, and Olivia Hope, 17, alive on New Year's Eve 1997 after dropping them at a boat with a 'mystery man'.
He had been serving drinks at Furneaux Lodge in the Marlborough Sounds and later drove a water taxi to ferry passengers to their boats after the party wound down. Watson was later jailed for their murders.
Wallace originally identified Watson as the mystery stranger, but later went back on this statement, saying police pressured him.
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Wallace, who now lives in Greymouth, pleaded guilty to breaching a protection order and failing to answer bail when he appeared in the Greymouth District Court on Wednesday.
Police prosecutor Stewart Sluis said the protection order was placed on the victim in August last year.
Wallace went to her place of work in Picton on December 5, he said.
'He went into the building and approached the reception desk she was working at and handed her an old watch saying 'I believe this is yours', and left without saying anything more. He offered no explanation when spoken to by police.'
Defence lawyer Vicki Walsh said Wallace did not want to complete restorative justice.
The case involved a 'benign set of facts', she said.
'The watch was of sentimental value and belonged to the victim. Mr Wallace found it and wanted to deliver it. He ensured she wasn't there and intended to leave it at reception.
It was a gift from her parents for her 21st birthday. In fact she was there. She received the watch and said thank you. That was the end of it. Mr Wallace heard nothing until he was charged.'
Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said Wallace had no similar previous convictions.
'There is nothing in the summary to indicate malice or bad intent,' he said.
He convicted Wallace and handed him a suspended sentence of six months. He also convicted and discharged Wallace for breaching bail.