Suppression order extended for man accused of murdering baby Ihaka Stokes

Ihaka Paora Braxton Stokes suffered multiple blunt force injuries including broken bones. Photo / Supplied

A 24-hour suppression order protecting the identity of a man accused of murdering a Christchurch toddler name has been extended for four days.

A 22-year-old man appeared at Christchurch District Court this morning charged with assaulting and killing 15-month-old boy Ihaka Paora Braxton Stokes on July 3.

Judge David Saunders granted name suppression so the man - who police say was known to Ihaka, who suffered multiple blunt force injuries including broken bones in the alleged assault at a house in Truman Rd, Bryndwr - can tell his parents of his predicament.

But the suppression order has this afternoon been extended until 10am on Tuesday.

It will lapse then unless an application to the High Court is made to extend it.

Defence counsel Phil Shamy also made a bail application this afternoon.

Bail, which was opposed by police, was refused by Judge Stephen O'Driscoll. Statutory suppressions restrict the reporting of bail hearings.

The man has been remanded in custody without plea to appear at the High Court in Christchurch on July 31.

More than 42 people have been interviewed by officers working on the homicide investigation.