Iron bar trio names secret for 'safety reasons'

CCTV footage of a man, Adam Armitage, arriving at a petrol station in the Bay of Plenty with a metal rod lodged in his head. Supplied by 3 News.

Name suppression has been granted for the three people charged in connection with a brutal assault on a 23-year-old Tauranga man with an iron bar for safety reasons.

A 21-year-old Rotorua man faced one count that with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) to Adam Charles Armitage he caused GBH to him, when he appeared in the Tauranga Registrars' Court today.

A Bay of Plenty brother and sister who also appeared in the same court, faced charges of common assault in relation to the same incident.

The trio are accused of assaulting 23-year-old Mr Armitage with an iron bar as he sat in his car on the roadside in Clive Road on January 17 this year, which lodged in the side of his head.

Lawyers Tony Balme and Rita Nabney sought interim name suppression for their clients.

Mr Balme said there maybe potential fair trial issues and concerns for his client's safety.
Mrs Nabney also sought suppression orders for safety reasons, after police had informed one of her client's there had been some threats made.

All three defendants have been bailed on strict conditions, including non-contact with their alleged co-offenders and a raft of other people.

They will next appear in the same court on March 5.

No pleas have yet been entered to the charges.