28 Apr 2021

Sportsman facing methamphetamine charges denied name suppression

1:47 pm on 28 April 2021

A well known sportsman who is facing methamphetamine charges will lose name suppression next week unless he takes his case to a higher court.

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Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The man pleaded not guilty to possessing and importing methamphetamine and is due to stand trial later this year.

His lawyer Greg Bradford said he would be at risk of extreme hardship and his fair trial rights would suffer.

In a judgment released today Justice Edwards dismissed both of those claims.

The man has now been declined name suppression by both the District and High Courts.

He must appeal to the Court of Appeal by next week or the media will be able to publish his name.