Taupō pastor accused of indecent assault on three boys

Don Corrie Lake, 63, appeared at the Taupo District Court this morning, charged with seven counts of indecent assault on a young person under 16. Photo / Google

A former North Island church pastor and GP has been accused of indecent assault on three boys between 2014 and 2017.

Don Corrie Lake, 63, appeared at the Taupō District Court this morning, charged with seven counts of indecent assault on a young person under 16.

Lake's lawyer asked for interim name suppression because of his daughter's studies. Judge Maree Mackenzie refused but put an embargo in place until 5pm.

Whangarei-based Lake was remanded on bail, with conditions, to reappear on November 12.

He worked as a minister at several churches, including Inspire Church Taupō, now called Equippers, as well as Auckland churches Bays Apostolic Church and Life Changers Church.

Lake argued that the charges would cause disruption to his daughter's studies. He had not had time to inform her or other family members, he said.

"She has two weeks to complete her university year. I ask for mercy on that basis."

Judge MacKenzie ran through the seven grounds under the Criminal Procedure Act and said the only one related to the "likelihood of extreme hardship" to Lake's daughter.

"The difficulty of assessing this is I have not a skerrick of evidence of extreme hardship ... I appreciate this is his first appearance but there needs to be some information before the court to decide whether there is an arguable case."

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.