Interim name suppression for man on child rape charges

A 58-year-old man facing eight sex charges and one of ill-treatment or neglect of a child under-16 was granted interim name suggestion when he appeared in the Timaru District Court yesterday.

Judge Kevin Phillips, in granting the interim suppression and remanding him on bail, said it remains in place until the man’s next appearance on September 13.

There are five charges of male rapes female under 12, two charges of indecently assaulting a female under 12 and one charge each of unlawful sexual connection and ill-treatment/neglect of a child under16.

The man’s appearance was dominated by discussion over name suppression with police revealing the complainant is not worried about the publication of the defendant’s name leading to her possible identification.

Judge Phillips said the complainant needs to be advised by the Crown in regard to her rights surrounding the issue of identification of both the defendant and the complainant.

Judge Phillips said once the complainant has been advised of her rights about giving away automatic suppression of her name then she can then make a decision.