TV personality faces sex charges

A high-profile television personality faces 11 criminal charges, including one of sexual violation, after several incidents he is said to have been involved in in January.

The man's name cannot be published under a suppression order in place until his trial starts in February.

At a hearing in Whangarei District Court yesterday, Judge Michael Lance said it would be "farcical" to prohibit publication of the name of the accused man's work but allow publication of his name.

His comments followed an application by John Haigh, QC, of Auckland, lawyer for the accused, for an order preventing publication of his client's name, business interests and any details which might identify either.

The man's name and details had been suppressed in the interim by JPs at a depositions hearing on four charges against the man in June.

After that hearing, he was committed for trial on February 20.

But Crown prosecutor Peter Magee was yesterday granted leave by Judge Lance to file an amended indictment against the accused, which included seven extra charges.

The man now faces one charge of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, one of injuring with intent to injure, seven charges of male assaults female and two of threatening to kill.

All relate to incidents the Crown alleges occurred on January 15, 16 and 30 this year during and after a function at the accused's address when several people decided to stay overnight.

The judge imposed a blanket order on all legal argument, evidence and submissions made during yesterday's hearing.

He later ruled there was to be no publication of the man's name, his business or any details which might identify the business or the accused personally.

The judge said matters could be revisited when the trial started.

The accused did not appear at yesterday's hearing.

Mr Haigh has indicated his client will plead not guilty to all 11 charges.