Financier who groped drunk woman jailed for 30 months

"Appalling conduct": Justin von Tunzelman claimed he could remember nothing
Alison Richards12 April 2012

A financier was jailed for 30 months today for stripping and groping a woman who had passed out after a party.

The case prompted the judge to warn of the dangers of binge drinking "shots lined up on a free bar".

Justin von Tunzelman, 37, preyed on the woman who had downed champagne cocktails, including several Bellinis containing peach liquor, followed by five or six "Slippery Nipple" shots of Baileys and vodka.

Friends moved the 29-year-old from a West End pub to an office to sleep it off but the New Zealander sneaked in and took her clothes off.

The investment consultant said he remembered nothing of the incident due to drink-induced amnesia but was found guilty of sexual assault at an earlier hearing. It emerged today that Von Tunzelman, from Forest Hill, has convictions in New Zealand for two drink-related crimes - urinating in the street and a brawl.

In an impact statement, the victim told how the experience left her embarrassed and traumatised.

Passing sentence, Judge Stephen Robbins told Von Tunzelman: "You know the day has come when you must be punished for this appalling conduct.

"Alcohol has been the cause of your downfall. You denied the offence and the victim had to give evidence in this court. This case illustrates only too clearly the dangers of office binge drinking, of cocktails and spirit shots lined up on a free bar, paid for by the company.

"You knew perfectly well this woman was too drunk to take care of herself and you exploited that situation." Von Tunzelman, who was sacked from his job at asset management company P-Solve over the case, may be deported after he has served his sentence.

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