[ad_1]
Anna Loren / Things
The man appeared in Papakura District Court in November.
A high-profile athlete facing multiple drug charges has lost his bid for name removal but cannot yet be identified.
The man, in his 30s, has denied possessing and importing methamphetamine in December 2019.
In November, the man requested the continued deletion of the name on the grounds that his career would suffer if he was named.
On Monday, Judge Richard McIlraith published his decision to reject the continued removal of the name.
READ MORE:
* High-profile athlete charged with methamphetamine says his career will suffer if named
* High Profile Athlete Facing Methamphetamine Charges Maintains Name Suppression
* High-profile Kiwi athlete pleads not guilty to methamphetamine supply and import charges
However, the athlete’s attorney, Greg Bradford, indicated that he would appeal the decision, meaning the man still cannot be identified.
Bradford has until December 23 to file an appeal in Superior Court.
At the hearing in Papakura District Court on November 18, the athlete’s lawyer said that his client would face extreme difficulties if appointed, as he would lose job opportunities.
However, Crown Prosecutor Jessica Pridgeon said no evidence was presented on behalf of the athlete that this was the case.
In Judge McIlraith’s decision, he said there was no evidence that the publication of the man’s name affected his rights to a fair trial.
“In my opinion, there is no logical connection between the deletion of [the defendant’s] name and protection of your rights to a fair trial.
“The alleged crime in which [the defendant] is involved is serious. It involves importing significant amounts of methamphetamine into New Zealand. “
Judge McIlraith also said that while the athlete’s public profile meant there could be more publicity surrounding the charges, it was not an extreme hardship.
“There is nothing unusual about [the defendant’s] situation, “said Judge McIlraith.
Things and TVNZ also opposed the continued deletion of the name.
