Judge won't allow man to give up name

Richard John Beresford, 48, faces a charge of breaching a protection order.

A 48-year-old Gladstone man is trying to give his name back to the Government to avoid being charged with an offence but Judge Tony Walsh told him he'd be dealing with him by his given name.

When Richard John Beresford appeared before the judge in Masterton District Court on Thursday he raised issues regarding his identity and his case, telling the court he was going to represent himself on a charge of breaching a protection order on November 3 by staying on his partner's property after she asked him eight times to leave.

Beresford said he had attempted to legally get rid of his name through the family court and was planning to take it further; to the high court. He said he no longer wanted to be known by his name.

But the judge said it was his name.

Judge Walsh stood the case down to allow duty lawyer Ian Hard to advise Beresford and for the forensic nurse to check if he were fit to plead to the charge. "You can not give your identity away."

When he appeared back before the judge later in the day, the court heard he was fit to plead to the charge.

Beresford told the court he would be lodging an application in the Wellington High Court this week to relinquish his name. He didn't plead to the charge.

Police opposed Beresford being bailed but Judge Walsh granted bail under strict conditions including him not contacting the victim. He is due back in court on December 4 to plead to the charge.

The only way a person can get rid of their name is by Deed Poll but any criminal charges under the previous name are connected with the new name.