A prominent former political figure found guilty of eight sex crimes dating back to the 1990s has taken his bid for continued name suppression to the High Court.
In August, the man was found guilty of eight historical sexual offences against two teenage boys.
At the last hearing, four weeks ago, he applied for interim name suppression until his sentencing on November 22. That was denied by the judge who granted the man 20 working days to consider whether to appeal.
That period expires today – and the man’s lawyer has now appealed the District Court decision to the High Court.
The application will be heard on November 25, three days after the man’s sentencing.
At trial, the prosecution had argued the man took advantage of his position as a mentor of two teenage boys at a sports club.
It said he supplied them with alcohol and abused them while they were intoxicated and vulnerable. The offences were said to have occurred in Waikato and Auckland.
Meanwhile the defence had told the jury the events did not happen and the complainants’ accounts were untruthful.
The man cannot be named or details given of his former role but it can be reported he is not an MP.
