Salvation Army Officer Trial Closing

Newswire
April 19 2007; 17:51

Lawyers Give Closing Arguments In Salvation Army Officer Case

The jury in the case of a Salvation Army officer accused of indecently assaulting four women has heard closing arguments from the Crown and defence.
Sixty two year old Maxwell Trimble is facing eight charges in the High Court at Hamilton of sexual offending against the women between December 2003 and July 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
The Crown alleges the accused abused his position as a Captain in the Salvation Army and took advantage of vulnerable women.
Prosecutor, Rebecca Mann told the jury the women were honest, straight forward and reliable witnesses.
The defence lawyer, Paul Mabey QC said their evidence was inconsistent, bizarre and unrealistic.
Justice Williams will sum up the case tomorrow morning before the jury retires.







Radio NZ
April 19 2007; 17:19

Lawyers give closing arguments in Salvation Army officer case

The jury in the case of a Salvation Army officer accused of indecently assaulting four women has heard closing arguments from the Crown and defence.
62 year old Maxwell Trimble is facing eight charges in the High Court at Hamilton of sexual offending against the women between December 2003 and July 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
The Crown alleges the accused abused his position as a Captain in the Salvation Army and took advantage of vulnerable women.
Prosecutor, Rebecca Mann told the jury the women were honest, straight forwward and reliable witnesses.
The defence lawyer, Paul Mabey QC said their evidence was inconsistent, bizarre and unrealistic.
Justice Williams will sum up the case tomorrow morning before the jury retires.







Radio NZ
April 18 2007; 20:52

Salvation Army officer denies sex charges

A Salvation Army officer accused of indecently assaulting four women denies anything untoward took place.
Maxwell Trimble, 62, is facing eight charges at the High Court in Hamilton of sexual offending against the women between December 2003 and July 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
A ninth charge has been dismissed by the court.
The Crown alleges the accused offended against vulnerable women while in a position of authority as a Salvation Army captain.
The defence opened its case with lawyer Paul Mabey, QC, telling the jury his client claims nothing happened as alleged by the women.
Giving evidence, the accused denied touching one complainant inappropriately, saying the only touching was a holy hug - the way church members greet each other in public.
Saliva points to complainant - scientist
Earlier, during the the Crown's presentation of its case, a scientist told the court that DNA found in Mr Trimble's underwear was much more likely to have come from a woman who accuses him of indecent assault than anyone else.
The DNA evidence relates to the fourth complainant.
The Environmental Science and Research scientist told the court that saliva from the woman found in the accused's underpants worn on the night of the alleged incident is ten million times more likely to be from the complainant than any random person.




Newswire
April 18 2007; 18:55

Salvation Army officer denies any wrongdoing

A Salvation Army officer accused of indecently assaulting four women denies anything untoward ever took place.
Maxwell Trimble, who is 62, is facing eight charges in the High Court at Hamilton of sexual offending against the women between December 2003 and July 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
A ninth charge has been dismissed by the court.
The Crown alleges the accused offended against vulnerable women while in a position of authority as a Salvation Army Captain.
The defence opened its case with lawyer Paul Mabey QC telling the jury his client claims nothing happened as alleged by the women.
Giving evidence, the accused denied touching one complainant inappropriately, saying the only touching was a holy hug - the way church members greet each other in public.















Radio NZ
April 18 2007; 15:20

DNA evidence presented in sexual offending case

A scientist has told the High Court that DNA found in the underwear of a Salvation Army officer was much more likely to have come from a woman who accuses him of indecent assault than anyone else.
Maxwell Trimble, 62, is facing nine charges at the High Court in Hamilton of sexual offending against four women between December 2003 and July 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
The DNA evidence relates to the fourth complainant.
The Environmental Science and Research scientist told the court that saliva from the woman found in the accused's underpants worn on the night of the alleged incident is ten million times more likely to be from the complainant than any random person.
The Crown has finished presenting its case







The Dominion Post
April 18 2007

Sex charges trial

A former Salvation Army captain is facing sex charges in the High Court at Hamilton. Maxwell Lawrence Trimble, 64, of Waihi, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of sexually and indecently assaulting four women between December 2003 and 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
A woman told the court Trimble had fondled her breast and put his hand down her pants.
Defence lawyer Paul Mabey, QC, suggested she had been in love with Trimble and the alleged incidents never happened.
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Mann said a second woman claimed Trimble threatened to fail her on her probation conditions unless she had sex with him









Radio NZ
April 17 2007; 15:16

Lawyer questions credibility of witness

The lawyer for a Salvation Army captain facing sex charges has questioned the credibility of one of the complainants.
Maxwell Trimble, 62, is facing nine charges in the High Court at Hamilton of sexual offending against four women between December 2003 and January 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
The second of the four women finished giving evidence on Tuesday.
Under cross-examination, the woman admitted she had been in prison five times for dishonesty. She said she was a drug addict but strenuously denied claims that she was lying about the allegations.
She says she was indecently assaulted by Mr Trimble on three occasions while he was supervising her on community service.













One News
April 17 2007

Woman tells court of Salvation abuse

A woman has told the High Court at Hamilton she was abused by a Salvation Army captain while he was her community services supervisor.
Max Trimble is on trial on nine sex charges relating to four women when he was a Salvation Army captain in Mt Maunganui and Waihi in 2003 and 2004.
The woman says Trimble had sex with her three times while he was supervising her for community service at Mt Maunganui Salvation Army in 2004.
The woman claims Trimble told her he could make things easy for her if she had sex with him. She says she felt she had no choice because of her trouble with the law and his power and position.
Trimble's Lawyer Paul Mabey claims the woman is a liar who has more than 150 convictions for dishonesty offences.









Newstalk ZB
April 17 2007; 14:32

Salvation Army captain faces sex charges

A woman has told the High Court at Hamilton she was abused by a Salvation Army captain while he was her community services supervisor.
Max Trimble is on trial on nine sex charges relating to four women, when he was a Salvation Army captain in Mt Maunganui and Waihi in 2003 and 2004.
The woman says Trimble had sex with her three times while he was supervising her for community service at Mt Maunganui Salvation Army in 2004.
The woman claims Trimble told her he could make things easy for her if she had sex with him. She says she felt she had no choice because of her trouble with the law and his power and position.
Trimble's Lawyer Paul Mabey claims the woman is a liar who has more than 150 convictions for dishonesty offences.





Waikato Times
April 17 2007

Former Sallies captain in court on sex charges

A former Salvation Army captain is facing sex charges in the High Court in Hamilton.
Maxwell Lawrence Trimble, 64, of Waihi, has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of sexually and indecently assaulting four women between December 2003 and 2005 while he was a Salvation Army captain in Tauranga and Waihi.
At the first day of the five-day jury trial before Justice Williams yesterday, a woman told the court Trimble had fondled her breast and put his hand down her pants while he was helping her write letters between December 2003 and February 2004.
Defence lawyer Paul Mabey QC suggested the woman had been in love with Trimble and the alleged incidents never happened.
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Mann told the court a second woman, also from Tauranga, claimed Trimble threatened to fail her on her probation conditions unless she had sex with him.
The third and fourth offences allegedly occurred after Trimble moved to Waihi in 2005. The trial is expected to finish on Friday.







Radio NZ
April 16 2007; 17:16

Woman says she felt powerless to stop assault

A woman on community service has told the High Court in Hamilton that she felt powerless to stop a Salvation Army officer sexually assaulting her.
62 year old Maxwell Trimble is facing nine charges of sexual offending against four women between December 2003 and January 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.
The 44 year old woman says Captain Trimble had sexual intercourse with her against her will on four occasions.
She says he told her he would make things easier for her and she assumed this to mean her community service.
Earlier, the court heard from an intellectually disabled woman who says the accused tried to fondle her.







Radio NZ
April 16 2007; 16:26

Court told Salvation Army officer abused his position

A woman on community service has told the High Court in Hamilton that she felt powerless to stop a Salvation Army officer sexually assaulting her.
62 year old Maxwell Trimble is facing nine charges of sexual offending against four women between December 2003 and January 2005 in Tauranga and Waihi.






Radio NZ
April 16 2007; 16:19

Salvation Army officer in court on sex charges

A Salvation Army officer accused of sexual offending against four women has gone on trial in Hamilton.
Maxwell Trimble is facing nine charges in the High Court, including indecent assault, sexual connection by threat and sexual violation, while he was working for the Salvation Army in Tauranga and Waihi between December 2003 and January 2005.
He is currently on suspension from the Salvation Army.
The Crown alleges the offending took place while he was in a position of authority as a Salvation Army captain and was meant to be helping the women.
The prosecution plans to 16 witnesses in a trial expected to last a week.






Waikato Times
November 14 2006

Sex trial for Waihi man

A Salvation Army officer will stand trial on sexual charges involving four women after a case was found to answer at his depositions hearing in Waihi. Maxwell Lawrence Trimble, 61, appeared in the District Court in Waihi last week on eight charges including indecent assault, inducing sexual connection by coercion, attempted sexual violation and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection between 2003 and 2005.






Hauraki Herald
August 21 2006

Waihi man faces sex crime charges

A Waihi Salvation Army Captain has been charged with indecent assault and attempted sexual violation.
Maxwell Lawrence Trimble (61) appeared in the Waihi District Court on Tuesday and entered no plea to charges of indecent assault, inducing sexual connection by coercion, attempted sexual violation and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.
The charges relate to complaints made by four women and allegedly took place when Mr Trimble served at the Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Waihi Salvation Army Centres between 2003 and mid-2005.
He was remanded on bail to reappear on September 16.
Detective Sergeant Glenn Tinsley says police have been investigating the charges against Mr Trimble for over a year and they are not ruling out further complaints coming forward.
Mr Trimble voluntarily stepped down from his Salvation Army duties a month ago.





NZ Herald
August 17 2006

Salvation Army man faces sex charges

A Salvation Army captain has been charged with eight sex offences after a year-long police investigation.
Maxwell Lawrence Trimble, 61, faces two charges of indecent assault, four of inducing sexual connection by coercion, one of attempted sexual violation and one charge of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.
He entered no plea when he appeared in the Waihi District Court yesterday. He was bailed to reappear on September 14.
The assaults are alleged to have taken place between late 2003 and mid 2005, while Trimble served at the Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Waihi Salvation Army centres.









Waikato Times
August 16 2006

Sex charges for Sallies captain

A Salvation Army captain appeared in the Waihi District Court yesterday charged with eight sex offences he is alleged to have committed against four women between December 2004 and May 2005.
Maxwell Lawrence Trimble, 61, of Waihi, faces charges of sexual violation, assault with intent to commit sexual violation and two charges of indecent assault.
He also faces four charges of inducing sexual connection with a woman.
Lawyer Michael Curtis, acting on behalf of Trimble's lawyer Paul Mabey, asked for Trimble to be remanded without plea to reappear in the court on September 14.
This was granted by Justice of the Peace Homer Stubbs, on the condition Trimble stayed at his home and did not associate with his alleged victims.
Trimble was also granted permission not to appear in person at the next hearing.
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CAPTION:
CHARGED: Salvation Army captain Maxwell Trimble outside the Waihi District Court yesterday.









Hauraki Herald
March 10 2006

Thank God for the Sallies
by Paula Trubshaw

Local kids call it their restaurant. For single parents it's an opportunity to get out of the house, enjoy some adult company, and indulge in a meal they haven't had to prepare themselves. For others it's a safe place to socialise away from the pub and club scene.
Dining out is a luxury beyond the reach of many, but thanks to the Salvation Army in Waihi, it has become an option for everyone.
Patrons from as far away as Whangamata and Katikati flock to the town with a heart of gold on Wednesday nights where they enjoy a professionally cooked meal in a relaxed family environment --- courtesy of the community.
Salvation Army captains Max and Elvyn Trimble introduced the community meal concept soon after they moved to Waihi from Tauranga around a year ago.
"We could see there was a need in town for somewhere for people to socialise away from the pub club scene," Mr Trimble says. "For a lot of people in town -- addicts, recovering alcoholics etc --- it's unsafe to go to a hotel."
Mental health folk, families and "heaps of single parents" also attend the meals and for a large percentage it's the main meal they eat all week.
"It's somewhere they can take the kids and still go out and enjoy themselves. They meet other people walking a similar journey and encourage each other. It's neat to see them strike up friendships outside of here."
Retired pensioner and former chef Harry Vazey is in charge of the meal preparation, but says he has a lot of help. Some of the regular patrons help out in the kitchen and in turn learn daily living skills. Volunteers, often the same faces, serve the meals and clean up each week and local businesses and church groups donate funds and food, or sell it at cost. "It's the community working together," Mr Trimble says.
As with any restaurant some nights are busier than others.
"One night we'd planned for 70 and ended up with 90," Mrs Trimble laughs.
"It was horrendous, but like the loaves and the fishes, the food just kept coming."
The Trimbles have lugged a lifetime of caring and community experience with them to Waihi.
In Tauranga they were directors of Recovery Fellowship, chaplains to employment plus --- something they have continued with in Waihi --- and managers of emergency accommodation.
Elvyn was also facilitator of the spiritual 12 steps programme - similar to AA but from a spiritual perspective.
And although their hearts are laced with gold, they're not heavy.
The rewards are simple Mr Trimble says.
"Seeing people change for the better; seeing them able to stand up and be proud of who they are. Seeing people accept themselves and feel good about themselves."