Health worker charged with assault

The man was granted interim name suppression in the Auckland District Court. Photo / File

A respected health worker charged with assaulting a woman at a public swimming pool has been allowed to keep his identity a secret.

The man was granted interim name suppression in the Auckland District Court on Thursday after the Herald on Sunday made inquiries about the incident.

The 40-year-old did not appear in court in person when his bid for suppression was heard.

It is alleged the man assaulted a woman on June 19 at the YMCA in Panmure.

On the day of the incident, the man allegedly had an altercation with the woman at the facility. She then reported the incident to staff at the centre, who called police to alert them to the alleged assault.

Russell Berg, YMCA marketing manager, said he could not speak about the incident because it was now before the courts.

"The safety of all facility users is of the utmost importance to the YMCA. We have recorded an incident which involved two members of the public on June 19," he said.

"In this instance our staff followed protocol once they were made aware and immediately referred the incident to police."

In applying for name suppression, the man's lawyer Sanjay Patel told the court if his client's identity was revealed it would cause him and his wife extreme hardship and it would be likely to endanger the safety of people he comes into contact with at work.

The man has not entered a plea and it is understood that Patel will apply for his client to be dealt with under the Police Diversion scheme.

"The summary of facts alleges minor offending with low culpability," said Patel.

In an affidavit provided to the court and the Herald on Sunday, the man said he was being treated for a depressive illness and anxiety disorder.

Patel told the court on Thursday that the man had only sought treatment after the alleged assault.

The man also said that if he was named, it could cause a loss of confidence at work, and will have a longstanding negative impact on his ability to source future employment.

"At present I am undertaking a one to one alcohol rehabilitation course ... and psychological counselling for stress management ... it has been assessed that I am suitable to carry on my work," he wrote.

"I consider that publication of my name will have an extreme and lengthy impact on my professional career. I also consider publication of my name will cause me and my wife extreme hardship."

The man added that if his name was published it would "cause considerable additional stress on me".
The man's name suppression is due to lapse later this month when he reappears in court.