Waikato rape accused name supression lifted

The name of a Tamahere man jointly accused with a woman of raping lone, young women in central Hamilton can now be revealed - although secrecy continues to surround his identity.

Jason Lloyd Jones had name suppression lifted today following a hearing at the High Court in Hamilton.

Jones, 37, and a 32-year-old woman face three counts of rape and one of unlawful sexual connection.

Jones also faces an additional charge of doing an indecent act in a public place.

Justice Priestley dismissed an application by Jones' defence counsel, Nitin Deobhakta, for continued name suppression, ruling it "inappropriate" to continue the interim order.

However the judge suppressed any written details or photographs which identify the man's face, physical build, ethnicity or features such as hair colour.

Justice Priestley also suppressed details which may identify Jones' female co-accused.

The woman was earlier granted interim name suppression by a Community Magistrate following her arrest last Friday.

Both accused will reappear in the Hamilton District Court next month.

The woman is jointly charged with three counts of rape and one of unlawful sexual connection.
The charges span six months, dating last July to January.

Jones was remanded in custody but Mr Deobhakta said an application for electronically monitored bail was filed.

Both accused also face cannabis charges.

Police allege the pair lured young women into their vehicle before plying them with alcohol and raping them.

- © Fairfax NZ News