KEY POINTS:
A judge has refused to give an accused rapist a copy of his alleged victim's videotaped police interview.
A 21-year-old man, who has denied raping the woman at a Wellington party last year, was given a full transcript of the woman's police interview.
A copy of the videotaped interview was sent to his local police station for the man and his lawyer to view as often as they wanted.
The accused's lawyer applied to the court for a copy of the video, the Dominion Post reported.
Police fear tapes of victims discussing what happened to them which are regularly made by police, could be posted on the internet for the sexual gratification of other offenders if they fell into the wrong hands.
Police opposed the application and told the court if they were forced to release such tapes, victims could refuse to be interviewed or report a crime.
This week Wellington District Court judge Bruce Davidson refused the accused rapist's request.
Despite the ruling, the newspaper said the future security of such tapes remained unclear.
A proposed law change to block the release of such tapes intended to be used as court evidence has been withdrawn for more work.
But the Criminal Disclosure Act 2008, which has been passed but has yet to take effect, could force the courts to release tapes not intended as evidence in court but this remains untested.
Police told the court they intended to lobby to change both laws.
- NZPA
