Teen World Cup streaker pleads guilty

A 17-year-old, with granted interim name suppression, pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court to a charge of going on to a playing surface at a major sporting event without authority. Photo / Thinkstock

A streaker who ran towards the field during the Rugby World Cup game between Russia and Ireland at Rotorua International Stadium has appeared in court.

The 17-year-old, who has been granted interim name suppression, pleaded guilty in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to a charge of going on to a playing surface at a major sporting event without authority.

The charge was laid under the Major Events Management Act 2007.

He was escorted from behind the try line in the second half of the match on September 25.

The teenager's lawyer, Aroha Cooper, said the 17-year-old was not offered police diversion as it was police policy during the World Cup not to offer diversion for this type of offence.

Ms Cooper said the teenager was in his final year at school and asked that his name and the name of the school he attended be suppressed. Judge James Weir said given the defendant's age he would grant interim name suppression and also suppressed the name of the school.

Judge Weir told the teenager he would be given the chance to clear his record and asked that Mana Social Services consider this case and whether voluntary work would be a suitable punishment.

He remanded the teenager to appear for sentencing on December 14.