Prostitute murder accused may be named

A District Court judge will decide this afternoon whether to lift name suppression for an Auckland man charged with murdering a Thai sex worker.

The 47-year-old computer programmer is charged with the murder of 48-year-old Nuttidar Vaikaew, whose body was found at a house in Western Springs, west of the city centre, on May 12.

Police believe that Miss Vaikaew, known to her clients as "Sky", was slain on April 17.

Name suppression was granted until today after his lawyer Nicholas Wintour argued the accused was at a high risk of committing suicide and that releasing his name would increase that risk.

But crown prosecutor Rachael Reed said today it appeared the man was no longer a suicide risk and that there was no reason for name suppression to continue.

Judge Mike Behrens said he wanted to hear fuller arguments from both parties and put the name suppression hearing off until 2.15pm.

The accused man, who wore a black suit with a blue tie, is expected to be remanded to reappear in Auckland District Court later this month for a further pre-depositions hearing.

- NZPA