Court manager suspended over allegations

The Taranaki courts manager has been suspended while allegations that she acted inappropriately in a criminal case involving her nephew are investigated.

The Ministry of Justice said Catherine Dodd had been stood down while it formally investigated a complaint it had received.

Detective Sergeant Blair Burnett of Hawera also confirmed he was looking into allegations against Ms Dodd.

Mr Burnett said the investigation involved a "serious matter" and was expected to be completed within a week to 10 days.

While the police and the ministry would not comment on the allegations, the investigation is believed to be centred on a claim that Ms Dodd contacted a witness in a criminal case involving her nephew, The Taranaki Daily News reported.

Brad Alexander Thomson, 27, was sentenced to 12 months' home detention last month after being convicted in Wanganui District Court on charges of kidnapping, assault with a weapon and assaulting a female.

His case was transferred out of Taranaki because he was related to Ms Dodd.

Ms Dodd yesterday referred all questions to her lawyer, Susan Hughes QC, before saying she was on sick leave this week.

- NZPA