Anthony Taikato is accused of assaulting Lance Scullin, who was found dead in the backyard of his Kesteven Rd property on December 1
The identity of the man accused of assaulting Merivale father-of-five Lance Scullin can now be revealed.
Unemployed Anthony Jack Taikato, 32, from Parkvale who appeared in Tauranga District Court today, faced charges of assault with intent to injure, common assault and participating in an organised criminal group.
Mr Scullin
was found dead in the backyard of his Kesteven Rd property on December 1.
Police say Mr Scullin was assaulted with a wooden fence paling while trying to break up a fight outside his house the night before, but did not die as a direct result of the assault.
The common assault charge stems from an allegation that Taikato also assaulted another man during the same attack.
