Commonwealth Games boxer in court

Welterweight boxer Joseph Blackbourn has been named as the Commonwealth Games athlete facing charges of arson and unlawfully taking a car.

Blackbourn, 20, of Taita, appeared in Lower Hutt District Court yesterday with two co-accused, the Dominion Post reported.

Police allege the trio unlawfully took a $1200 Honda car then set fire to it in Lower Hutt last October.

Blackbourn is a current national champion who has been boxing for six years. He was eliminated in the first round of last month's Games, losing on points to Scot Kris Carslaw.

He was given name suppression at an earlier court appearance and allowed to travel to Melbourne to compete.

Judge John Walker lifted Blackbourn's name suppression and remanded him and his associates on bail until April 27, when they are expected to face amended charges.

Boxing New Zealand said it would wait for the outcome of the court case before deciding on Blackbourn's future in the sport.

- NZPA