Charged with child sex offences dating back 50 years

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A 72-year-old facing allegations of historic child sex offending was refused name suppression by a judge in Gisborne District Court this week.

Rana William Ronald Hiha, taxi driver, denies the allegations and has elected trial by jury.

His pleas of not guilty were entered by counsel Vicky Thorpe, who also applied for interim suppression of her client’s name.

Judge Warren Cathcart refused to grant the application and further remanded Hiha on bail for a Crown case review hearing on June 7.

Both complainants were aged between five and seven at the time of the claimed offences about 50 years ago.

Hiha is accused of raping one of the girls and doing an indecent act on her.

In relation to the other, he is accused of eight times permitting or inducing her to do indecent acts on him and twice doing indecent acts on her.

None of the charges are representative.

The rape charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

The other charges carry maximum prison terms of 10 years.

Ms Thorpe indicated to the court expert health assessments would be sought for Hiha and there could potentially be an application for a “stay” of proceedings.