Former Malaysian defence attache to stand trial this month

Malaysian diplomat Muhammed Rizalman bin Ismail, centre. Photo / Supplied

The former Malaysian defence attache who left New Zealand and then returned to face sexual charges will stand trial later this month and today pretrial issues were discussed at a brief hearing in Wellington.

Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail wasn't in the High Court for the chambers hearing, the contents of which cannot be reported.

Justice David Collins did, however, allow it to be reported that: "Further steps are being taken as a consequence of [today's] hearing."

Rizalman is charged with assaulting Tania Billingsley with intent to commit sexual violation and burglary.

The alleged offending happened in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn in May last year, when Rizalman was working as a military attache at the Malaysian High Commission.

He left New Zealand after his arrest but returned later in 2014.

As the alleged victim in a sexual prosecution, Ms Billingsley's name would normally be automatically suppressed, but she waived her right to this last year.