Tony Veitch: Now I can tell my story

JOHN SELKIRK/Dominion Post

FRONTING UP: Tony Veitch makes a statement to the media outside the Auckland District Court this afternoon after appearing on assault charges.

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Former sports broadcaster Tony Veitch says he's looking forward to telling his side of the story about incidents over which he faces assault charges.

Veitch, 34, appeared in front of a public gallery packed mainly with media in Auckland District Court today on six counts of male assaults female and one count of injuring with reckless disregard.

The charges were dated between 2002 and 2006 and relate to him allegedly assaulting his former partner, Kristin Dunne-Powell.

Veitch wore a jacket and shirt when he appeared in court and kept his head up for most of the brief time he appeared. He was remanded on bail, which was not opposed by the Crown.

His lawyer Stuart Grieve QC said the charges would be vigorously defended, something Veitch affirmed when he spoke to media outside the court.

"While the past six weeks have been incredibly difficult and they have been incredibly frustrating watching this entire saga play out in the public, I can honestly say I am absolutely relieved now that there is clarity going forward and I now know what I am up against," Veitch said.

"While I am shocked and also saddened that it has got this far in terms of all the allegations and the charges, I am more determined than ever to fight to clear my name."

The former One News sports presenter and host of the Radio Sport breakfast show reportedly paid Ms Dunne-Powell more than $150,000 following a 2006 incident, which allegedly left her with four broken vertebrae.

Ms Dunne-Powell laid a formal complaint with police about Veitch last month.

Veitch said today that he was looking forward to having his version of events told in the court process.

"I now look forward to every chance and every possibility for all information and all of the facts to be played out in the appropriate forum.

"There are two sides to every story and I guarantee that (both) will come out in the end."

Veitch will reappear in the District Court for a pre-depositions hearing on September 29.

- NZPA