Northland news in brief: Cop denies sex charges, builders challenge

Whangarei Detective Inspector Kevin Burke will face a jury trial after pleading not guilty to one charge of sexual violation and two of indecent assault. Photo / File

Cop denies sex charges

A 60-year-old Whangarei-based police officer who will go to jury trial next year has denied one charge of sexual violation and two of indecent assault. Detective Inspector Kevin Burke maintained his not guilty pleas when he appeared before Justice Timothy Brewer in the High Court at Auckland yesterday. He was remanded on bail until his trial date in February. Details of the allegations are suppressed. Burke was stood down last April when the criminal investigation began, but was not charged until December. A parallel employment investigation is also under way, as well as a separate inquiry by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Building challenge

Seven building and carpentry apprentices from around Northland will contest this year's New Zealand Certified Builders' Apprentice Challenge in Whangarei this weekend. Saturday's Northland regional finalists will have eight hours to build a 1.5m-high children's castle playhouse, featuring a turret and working drawbridge. They will be provided with durable, trade-quality timber and materials, and their structures will have to meet minimum safety standards. The playhouses must be built with preschoolers in mind, because they will be donated to local early childhood education providers and other community groups after the competition. The event, at NorthTec, 19 Dyer St, Raumanga, from 9am to 4pm, will be open to the public. The national final will be contested in Rotorua on May 25 and 26.

Historic rape conviction

A 71-year-old man Whangarei man has been found guilty of historic rape charges from the 1960s. One of his victims said she is able to move on with her life "at long last" now Raymond Bradley has been found guilty of several rapes and indecent assaults against two Porirua girls between 50 and 60 years ago. A jury of seven men and four women deliberated on the charges for about 13 hours over two days in the Wellington District Court. Bradley has been found guilty of four counts of rape, two of indecent assault, three of performing an indecent act, and one of inducing a girl to perform an indecent act on him. He was found not guilty of one indecent assault and one rape. He will be sentenced on May 28.

Fishing competition

Totara North School's focus group will stage the 2018 King of the Coast fishing competition over May 12-13, culminating in a fish auction and prizegiving at the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club on the Sunday afternoon. Proceeds will go towards the purchase of an outdoor sound system, a commercial mower and library resources. The heaviest snapper, kingfish and kahawai will earn prizes, with more in children's categories, while the average weight snapper (caught by an adult) will be worth $1000.
Tickets are available at Cooper's Beach Sports, GAS Cooper's Beach, Dive Zone Waipapa, BP Waipapa, Blu Bar (Matauri Bay), Kaeo Farm and Fuel, BP Kaeo, the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club, the Marlin Hotel at Whangaroa and the school.