Prominent New Zealander with heavy suppressions due back in court today

A prominent New Zealander facing serious criminal charges is due back in court today.

The high-profile defendant currently has heavy suppressions forbidding publication of his name and identifying features, as well as the nature of his charges, which he is yet to enter pleas to.

The restrictions have been in place since his arrest in late May, before he had even had his first appearance in court. His lawyer applied for suppression of his identity and all facts of the case and charges pending his first appearance, which Judge Noel Sainsbury granted in chambers.

He then appeared in the Wellington District Court in early July by audio-visual link, where lawyer Letitia Ord requested suppression be continued. Judge David Laurenson granted the order, saying he was satisfied it was justified at this stage.

Today’s hearing in the Wellington District Court was set down for parties to argue whether the suppressions should continue.

The case will be called in the Wellington District Court this morning.

The man faces eight charges listed as category three offences. These are offences that are punishable by maximum prison terms varying from two years to life imprisonment.

A person facing category three charges may elect either a judge-alone trial or a jury trial in the district court.

Top media organisations, including NZME, have joined together to oppose suppression continuing.

Under the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, the court may suppress the identity of a defendant if it is satisfied publication is likely to cause one or more of eight outcomes, the most common being extreme hardship to the defendant or people connected to them, prejudice to fair trial rights, and the identification of someone else who has name suppression.

Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.