Taupō pastor charged with indecent assault on three children

A former North Island church pastor and GP has been charged with indecent assault on three children between 2014 and 2017.

Don Corrie Lake, 63, appeared in Taupō District Court this morning, charged with seven counts of indecent assault on a young man under the age of 16.

Lake’s attorney requested the provisional removal of the name due to his daughter’s studies. Judge Maree Mackenzie refused, but imposed an embargo until 5 p.m.

Lake, based in Whangarei, was placed in pretrial detention, with conditions, to reappear on November 12.

He served as a minister in various churches, including Inspire Church Taupō, now called Equippers, as well as the Auckland churches, Bays Apostolic Church, and Life Changers Church.

Lake argued that the charges would cause disruptions to her daughter’s studies. He had not had time to inform her or other members of his family, he said.

“You have two weeks to complete your college year. I ask for mercy on that basis.”

Judge MacKenzie reviewed the seven grounds under the Criminal Procedure Act and said the only one related to the “likelihood of extreme hardship” for Lake’s daughter.

“The difficulty in evaluating this is that I do not have a shred of evidence of extreme hardship … I appreciate that this is his first appearance, but there needs to be some information in court to decide if there is a moot case.”

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.