Suppressed victims' names published on Facebook

A woman has admitted breaching a suppression order by publishing names of victims on Facebook.

Nicola Jayne Witheford, whose partner was convicted on May 13 of crimes against the victims, said she did not realise there was an automatic suppression order in place, as she is not familiar with court procedures.

On May 17 Witheford posted the victims' names on the Buy Sell Swap Wanganui Facebook page, which had 26,880 active members at the time, police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen said.

Several people realised the connection between the victims' names and the recent trial, and contacted police.

Witheford told police she "didn't know the suppression order was in place".

Defence lawyer Jamie Waugh told the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday Witheford was not sitting in the trial the entire time as much of it was held in a closed court, so she was unaware of the restrictions.

He said she was "a stranger to the court".

Judge David Cameron called the breach "very serious".

"I'm surprised the maximum penalty is so low," he said.

The maximum sentence for a suppression order breach is six months imprisonment.

Judge Cameron remanded Witheford to July 27 for sentencing.