Seventh youth named in Napier sex assault case

The seventh youth charged in relation to a broomstick sex attack on a classmate has been named as Anthony Richard Lloyd, 18, of Taradale, Napier.

The other six youths charged with sexual violation and attempted sexual violation had their name suppression lifted after a depositions hearing in the Napier District Court earlier this month.

But Lloyd's lawyer, Russell Fairbrother, took the matter to the High Court, Wellington, in a bid to keep his client's name suppressed.

The appeal was dismissed and suppression was lifted on Friday, but Justice Gendall suppressed the reasons.

The youths were accused of an attack at a party in Taradale on October 17, where a classmate was pinned to his bed while being assaulted with the end of a broomstick coated in Deep Heat.

All seven pleaded not guilty and Judge Lee Spear refused them continued name suppression.

Mr Fairbrother said the boy denied involvement in the attack and believed he would be cleared eventually.

The name suppression caused intense speculation as to the identity of the seventh boy, and led a prominent Napier family to appeal for the suppression to be lifted to clear their son. The family said they had received malicious phone calls and had their property damaged following the rumours.

Kent Russell Burns, 18, Andrew James Castles, 18, Daniel Martin Cutbill, 18, Rewi Matiu John Gemmell, 17, Mark Peter Hagen, 18, Anthony Richard Lloyd, 18, and Gabriel Williams, 18, are due to appear in the High Court, Napier, on February 5 for a trial date to be set.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY