16 Feb 2021

Name suppression of seven people charged over death of Sao Young lifted

11:02 am on 16 February 2021

Name suppression has lapsed for seven people charged over the killing of a Hamilton man last year.

Sao Young's body was found on a rural property.

Sao Young. Photo: Police / Supplied

Forty-year-old Sao Young's body was found on a rural property at Gordonton, north-east of Hamilton, in April.

The accused - aged between 20 and 37 - are Narath Chourn, Neha Grey, Manuao Kirkwood, Daniel Payne, Mihingarangi Rameka, Anton Rite and Teretere Taniwha.

All of the accused pleaded not guilty in the High Court in Hamilton in October last year.

Three are charged with murder and the others face a variety of charges, including manslaughter, kidnapping, being an accessory after the fact, and wounding with intent.

A trial is set down for October.