Grace Millane's killer named on social media and by overseas publications despite suppression orders

Overseas news publications are naming the man convicted of Grace Millane's murder, despite his name still being suppressed.

And in New Zealand, the man has also been named on social media accounts leaving the police to issue a warning not to state his identity on any posts.

The 27-year-old man was found guilty of killing the 21-year-old backpacker last night, in a unanimous decision by the jury.

He cannot yet be named for legal reasons, which have been strictly adhered to by New Zealand media, who can be prosecuted if they don't comply with the court's order.

"Police have been made aware today that the defendant in the Grace Millane homicide has been named on social media accounts in New Zealand," Detective Inspector Scott Beard said.

"Although the homicide trial concluded yesterday, a suppression order which prevents naming the defendant remains in place and will do so until lifted by the court.

"While we appreciate the public feeling around this case, we do want to remind the public that it is an offence to breach a court order such as a name suppression - this includes naming someone on social media. "

Earlier, for at least the second time, major overseas publications are flouting the suppression, using the man's name in their stories.

Despite repeated warnings after the man's first appearance in December last year, dozens of publications repeatedly breached the suppression order.

In July, Google suspended its trending emails in New Zealand and apologised to Justice Minister Andrew Little after an email was sent to about 200 subscribers naming the killer.

Following that, Little began work with the UK, Australia and Canada to see what more could be done to ensure suppression orders were obeyed.

At that time, there were fears in the legal community the continuous publication of the 27-year-old's name and details would compromise the trial.

Concerns were also raised by New Zealand Bar Association vice-president Jonathan Eaton QC, who said the breaches were not only endangering a fair trial but potentially any future trial.

"The publicity about the accused undermines the prospect of finding an impartial jury," he said.

It is possible for sites to geographically block those outside certain areas from accessing their content, but previously that has largely failed - given some search sites still list headlines in searches.

Today, Little said it was "really disappointing" .

But he was optimistic changes to the way court suppression orders were enforced were on the way.

He said Commonwealth countries were working together to make court suppressions made international, but "it'll take a couple of years".

"There's an acceptance now that the way media works ... is that we've got to have the right to enforce suppression orders offshore."

Little said suppression orders needed to be respected by all countries. He said geoblocking media coverage mention the 27-year-old's name is not the "ultimate answer".

"We need to get cooperation with other countries if we're really going to safeguard the integrity of our court system," he said.

Grace Millane was strangled to death on the eve of her 22nd birthday by her Tinder date in his downtown Auckland apartment on December 1 last year.

He then went about trying to cover it up and dumped her body in the Waitākere Ranges.
The Crown argued it was murder, the defence said it was an accident.

After hearing from 39 witnesses over three weeks, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict last night.

The killer will return to court on February 21 at 9am to be sentenced.