The man at the centre of last year's Mike Tindall Rugby World Cup scandal will face a jury trial on Monday, despite sacking his lawyer four days before it's due to begin.
Jonathan Dixon, 42, appeared in Invercargill District Court on Thursday for a pre-trial callover of one of two charges he faces.
The charge, dishonestly accessing a computer system, relates to CCTV footage from inside Queenstown bar Altitude, which Dixon uploaded to YouTube.
It showed English rugby star Mike Tindall - who had just married the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips - partying with an ex-girlfriend.
But before the matter could be heard, Dixon's lawyer Kate McHugh sought leave from the court to withdraw as Dixon's legal counsel.
The application came just four days before he was due to go to trial on a second charge, wounding with reckless disregard causing grievous bodily harm.
That charge was laid after an alleged bar assault in January, in Queenstown, which left Jordan Sinke, 26, in an induced coma.
Dixon's newly appointed counsel, Simon Claver, immediately sought to have the assault matter adjourned to a later date, given he had received the case only an hour earlier.
He said if he had to appear on Dixon's behalf next week, it would be "under protest".
But Judge Phillips rejected the application.
"This matter is going to trial on Monday at 9.15am. It was his decision to get rid of his counsel."
Mr Claver asked that his objection be noted.
Dixon was remanded on bail to reappear in Invercargill District Court on Monday for trial on the assault matter and to September 20 for another pre-trial callover relating to dishonestly using a computer system.
NZN
