Christchurch teen accused of sending threat letters can keep identity a secret

Extortion charges filed after threatening letters sent to school parents. File photo

A teenager accused of sending menacing letters to parents of Christchurch primary school pupils, threatening to harm the children if money wasn't handed over, has today been granted interim name suppression.

The 17-year-old Christchurch boy was arrested at the weekend and charged with extortion.

He is accused of writing and sending threatening letters to Mount Pleasant School parents on June 6 and June 14 this year.

He was due to appear at Christchurch District Court this morning.

However, he was granted a registrar's remand without having to appear before a judge. He was also granted interim name suppression.

He was granted bail until October 22 in order to seek legal advice.