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A police recruit accused of raping a woman two weeks into his training had his name suppression lifted yesterday.
Mark James Tulloch, 30 was arrested in April, four days after the alleged crime, The Dominion Post reported.
Tulloch is suspended on full pay and is also suspended from the army where he is a part-time territorial force soldier.
He faces one charge of raping the woman he met over the internet.
He has denied the charge and says he wants to return to training after the trial.
A police headquarters spokesman said Tulloch was stood down in accordance with standard procedures when officers were under investigation, including receiving his $33,000 recruit salary.
When he appeared in the High Court in Wellington last week Tulloch asked to keep his identity secret, saying he wanted to complete his police training if he was acquitted, and publication of his name would irreparably damage his future career.
But Justice Simon France said he was not convinced Tulloch's name and image would be recalled to the degree that it would affect his career if he were to become a police officer.
The name suppression lapsed yesterday
- NZPA
