A man charged with rape and stupefying after allegedly spiking a glass of wine with methamphetamine has been granted interim name suppression.
The man has also been charged with one count administering a class A controlled drug, intentionally making intimate video recordings and breaching a protection order.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and elected trial by jury when he appeared in Tauranga District Court on Friday.
The charges relate to activity that took place in November 2019.
Police prosecutors said the delay in charges being laid was due to the COVID-19 lockdown, which hampered their investigation by delaying evidence.
Bail was sought by his lawyer Tony Balme on very strict conditions, but this was rejected by Judge John Macdonald due to safety concerns from the victim.
Judge Macdonald was told the complainant was 'terrified” of the man who was 'obsessed” with her.
Judge Macdonald remanded the man in custody until August 4, when more information about bail conditions could be assessed.
1 comment
Why?
Posted on 03-08-2020 09:55 | By Yadick
Why is bail even a consideration when this person refused to even follow a simple Protection Order. He obviously cannot be trusted to follow strict bail conditions. He gas made himself out according to the charges to be an extreme danger to the community.
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