Naming order lifted on Pitcairn accused

Name suppression has been lifted on a Pitcairn Islander facing sex charges in the Pitcairn Magistrate's Court sitting in Auckland.

Shawn Brent Christian, 29, who had been living in Australia since 1998 and faces three charges of rape, agreed to be extradited to New Zealand by the British Government earlier this year.

Christian's name was suppressed when he appeared in the Pitcairn Magistrate's Court at Papakura last month.

He was remanded on bail and had to surrender his passport, which prevented him from leaving New Zealand or contacting the alleged victim.

Crown prosecutor Christine Gordon said a request yesterday to have Christian's name suppression order lifted was not opposed.

Ms Gordon said magistrate Gray Cameron also reserved his decision on an application from Christian to have a bail condition varied so he could return temporarily to Australia. The magistrate indicated that decision would be made by Friday, she said.

Both the Crown and defence are due to appear again at Papakura on April 4 to have a depositions hearing date allocated.

Christian was one of 13 men charged in relation to sex attacks on Pitcairn Island, dating back 40 years.

His alleged offences happened between 1994 and 1996.

Shawn Christian's father and former mayor, Steve Christian, and his brother Randy, were jailed for sex offences last year, and four others were given sentences ranging from prison to community service.

The Pitcairn Magistrate's Court has been sitting in New Zealand under a special act of the New Zealand Government but is considered to be a British court.

- NZPA