Sex-case jury clears Sue Bradford's son

Former Green MP Sue Bradford's son has been cleared of three charges of sexual violation.

After a week-long trial, the jury found Joseph Henry Bradford, 20, of Dunedin, not guilty of three counts of sexual violation, including one of rape.

Interim name suppression in the case lapsed yesterday.

The charges were related to an incident in the basement of a Dundas St flat during a party on May 9 last year.

Mr Bradford's application for permanent name suppression was denied by Judge Paul Kellar - who resided over the trial - at a hearing on the matter on Tuesday.

An interim suppression order expired at 5pm yesterday.

Judge Kellar said it was unfortunate the stigma that was necessarily associated with such serious allegations was rarely erased by subsequent acquittal.

But he had to weigh up whether the harm caused by publication of a person's name outweighed the public interest in open justice and the freedom to receive any information.

He did not accept that publication of Mr Bradford's name would exacerbate any medical effects he suffered from a 2008 head injury, beyond those he was already experiencing.

That Mr Bradford's mother was a high-profile person was not a determining factor in his decision, he said. "The law should apply equally to all."

His "grave concern" was that suppression would cast a pall of suspicion over others following the publication last week of suppressed information stating the son of a prominent former MP was on trial.

"It is unfortunate the way that has transpired," Judge Kellar said.

Sue Bradford said last night that she was glad the trial was over.

"It was a very difficult time for Joe and for our whole family. I'm really pleased that following the... trial, the right decision was made.

"I feel really sorry for everyone involved. It was a very difficult thing, but I'm glad it's over."

Ms Bradford said her son was now just looking forward to getting on with his studies.