The trial of a Kiwi actor alleged to have indecently touched four female acting students has been aborted.
The reasons for the Auckland District Court trial being stopped were suppressed by Judge David Sharp.
"Regrettably the trial is not able to continue," he told the jurors, dismissing them.
He said the reasons behind the cancellation had nothing to do with anything any of the lawyers or jurors involved.
The case would be heard by another jury at a later date, he said.
The actor's name suppression has been continued and will be reviewed next week.
Two of the alleged victims had already taken the stand earlier in the week, with evidence in the two-week trial starting on Wednesday.
Prosecutors said the man, who ran group classes for aspiring actors, separately offered each woman private lessons because they had great potential.
He then used teaching techniques that led to him indecently touching the women's breasts and sexually violating one woman, the Crown said.
However, defence lawyer Ron Mansfield said the man never indecently touched the women and only engaged in professional teaching techniques.
He accused the women of colluding to make their claims sound more believable.
Newshub.
