Coach faces assault charges

Robert Ngarimu Simpkins in action for Whakarewarewa in 2009. Photo / File

Rotorua Boys' High School's director of rugby and First XV coach is one of two men charged with assaulting two young teenagers.

Robert Ngarimu Simpkins, 36, a former Bay of Plenty Steamers hooker, was appointed to the school's top rugby role last October.

He currently faces two charges of assault on a child under 14 and two charges of injuring with intent to injure. His father, Robert Miroa Simpkins, 59, faces one charge of assault on a child under 14 and one charge of assault with intent to injure.

It is alleged that on January 26 one of a group of three boys stole a pair of sports shoes from beside the Simpkins' front door. The men are alleged to have chased the boys and assaulted two of them.

Both men have denied the charges, saying they were "rounding up the youths" to take them to the police station.

An application for the pair's interim name suppression to continue was heard before Judge Phillip Cooper on Friday in Rotorua District Court. His written judgment was released to the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday.

Defence lawyer Max Simpkins had argued publication of the younger man's name could cause him to have to stand down from his role at Boys' High.

"He has been very successful in this [coaching] role and the school's First XV has done very well under his coaching," the judgment noted. He had aspirations to further his coaching career in New Zealand and overseas, it went on.

"He is concerned publication of his name will impact on his earning capacity in the future."

Judge Cooper stated the father, a qualified teacher, aimed to return to teaching.

"He deposes if his name is published, it is extremely unlikely he will 'secure any work with children'."

The father had also been a carer for Child, Youth and Family children, but as a result of the charges, that role had been put on hold.

Judge Cooper found neither defendant had established that publication of his name was likely to cause him extreme hardship, so rejected the application for continued name suppression.

He acknowledged there would be "considerable local interest" in the charges against the rugby coach but said there was no evidence he would be in jeopardy of losing his employment.

"It seems unlikely he would be dismissed when the charges at this stage are allegations only and the defendant has the benefit of the presumption of innocence."

Rotorua Boys' High School principal Chris Grinter told the Rotorua Daily Post the school had no intention to stand Simpkins down.

The pair will next appear in Rotorua District Court on January 26.