(Dec 4): A former Malaysian diplomat, who pleaded guilty to indecent assault of a woman in New Zealand, has admitted that he smoked cannabis, believed in black magic and defecated in front of her house.

Mohammed Rizalman Ismail, a military attaché at Malaysia’s Wellington high commission, gave his evidence at the High Court today, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Crown prosecutor Grant Burston told the court that Rizalman bought high strength cannabis in New Zealand and has a history of drug use in Malaysia.

Rizalman said he smoked cannabis back in Malaysia last year, six weeks before he went into a psychiatric hospital.

“I don’t remember using it but I admit to buying it,” Rizalman was quoted as saying.

Rizalman also admitted that he defecated in front of Tania Billingsley’s house, but denied that it was a black magic to put a charm on her.

“I don’t know because I’ve never practised it,” Rizalman said in response to Burston’s proposition of the spell.

On Monday, AFP reported that the original charges against Rizalman were dismissed when the 39-year-old admitted one count of indecent assault against Billingsley.

Last May, he pleaded not guilty to committing assault with intent to commit sexual violation.

Rizalman’s lawyer Donald Stevens cited extenuating circumstances, including mental illness, although prosecutors contest this.

A summary of facts read out to the court said that on May 9 last year Billingsley was at her home in Brooklyn, Wellington, when she heard a knock on her bedroom door.

Rizalman then entered wearing no trousers or underpants. She screamed and struggled against him, managing to push him out of the house before calling police.

Stevens said Rizalman told police the pair had been to the cinema together that day.

The summary of facts did not specify whether Billingsley agreed.

Indecent assault carries a maximum jail term of seven years in New Zealand.

Judge David Collins said a hearing into disputed aspects of the case would take place on Friday before sentencing.

He said if a home detention sentence was imposed, and he stressed it was only a possibility, Rizalman may be allowed to serve it at the Malaysian high commission. – The Malaysian Insider