May 13, 2010

Limited coverage of bestiality case allowed

Limited publication is being allowed of a bestiality case before the Youth Court in Christchurch after an appeal was dismissed in the High Court today.

Justice Lester Chisholm dismissed the appeal which sought to suppress all media coverage of last week?s hearing in the Youth Court before Judge John Strettell.

But both judges have allowed only certain details to be published from the hearings.

The Youth Court judge?s ruling allowing publication was covered by a suppression order pending today?s appeal to the High Court by defence counsel Tony Greig.

The youth has been charged with bestiality with a donkey at a reserve in Sumner in April.

Judge Strettell heard the case and remanded it for a psychologist?s report to be prepared.

The report will cover how the case will be handled ? its disposition.

He said all details that might lead to the boy?s identification had to be suppressed but ?the process itself of disposition should be known?.

Justice Chisholm ruled today that the date of the boy?s next remand appearance could also not be published in case that might lead to his identification.