Husband of ANZFW founder jailed

CHRISTCHURCH: The high profile husband of Air New Zealand Fashion Week (ANZFW)  owner Pieter Stewart has been sentenced to three and a half years jail after being found guilty of historical sex charges.

Stewart's husband Peter, the 62-year-old son of Christchurch businessman the late Sir Robertson Stewart, was arrested last year and found guilty by a jury on one charge of sodomy, one of rape, three of indecent assault and two of inducing an indecent act. The offences date back between 30 and 40 years.

It is understood an appeal has already been filed.

According to some New Zealand media reports the furore surrounding Peter Stewart leaves the sponsor-dependent ANZFW vulnerable to bad publicity.

However national airline Air New Zealand, which has naming rights to the event, has denied claims it would consider withdrawing support for NZFW and stated it remains committed to its sponsorship.

There has been no word from other sponsors including Westpac, Hilton Auckland, Audi, Verge, DHL and Deutz.

It is believed Peter Stewart's lack of involvement in fashion week and the distance between his business affairs and those of his wife will limit any potential fallout.