French tourist attack: man named

The Mount Maunganui man accused of beating and robbing two French tourists behind an abandoned petrol station in Papamoa can now be named.

Che Bridger, from Mount Maunganui, and co-accused Ngraruawahia man Bo-Tamati Rawiri appeared in Tauranga District Court today charged with aggravated robbery in relation to the attack on two 21-year-old tourists in July.

Two French tourists were allegedly beaten and robbed behind a Shell service station in Papamoa.

Bridger had earlier been granted interim name suppression, which lapsed today.

In court today Bridger’s lawyer Tony Balme opposed Sun Media’s application to take a photograph of Bridger stating that the publication would compromise his defence if the case went to trial.

However no application to continue name suppression was made.

Bridger was remanded in custody and will appear in court for a judicial intervention hearing on September 12.

Rawiri was also remanded in custody without plea until September 4 where all matters, including drug related charges, will be dealt with.

Rawiri’s lawyer Craig Tuck said in court today that his client will also file for electronically monitored bail on the later court date.

The two French tourists were hitchhiking from Tauranga to Rotorua when they were picked up by two men in a vehicle on the afternoon of July 7.

They were driven to an abandoned Shell service station on State Highway 2 near Welcome Bay Road in Papamoa where they were allegedly beaten and robbed.

The two 21-year-olds suffered minor injuries and had their packs, clothing, passports and cash and money stolen.

The tourists have since continued on their New Zealand holiday.