Man to face trial over woman's detention, rape

A Christchurch businessman has been sent for trial on charges of unlawfully detaining a woman over a six-month period, raping and sexually violating her during that time.

The 37-year-old man has a continued ban on publication of his name after taking a suppression appeal to the High Court.

Christchurch District Court Judge Patricia Costigan received the evidence in written form at a brief depositions hearing today, then committed the man for trial in the High Court.

He will appear at a High Court pre-trial conference on June 19.

The man is charged with rape, sexual violation, and threatening to kill the woman as well as unlawfully detention betweem October 1, 2007, to March 31, 2008.

All of the sexual offences are said to have taken place at that time.

The man is also charged with threatening to kill a second woman.

- NZPA