Seasonal workers accused of rape

interpreter, as their lawyer Marcus Zintl said they did not speak ‘‘a word of English’’.

Zintl asked for the case to be remanded without pleas.

He said he expected a long remand would be needed to discuss the charge and the court process with his clients given the communication difficulties.

He also sought name suppression, saying the men had not yet told their families they had been charged.

Their work visas were due to expire in September, but Zintl said the visas were likely to be extended.

Police did not oppose bail or interim name suppression, but did seek a curfew as the alleged offence was said to have happened after midnight, or early on January 1.

Both men were ‘‘teetotallers’’, so there was no need for a bail condition preventing them from drinking, Zintl said.

Judge Richard Russell remanded the men to reappear on August 10, on bail with a curfew from 9pm to 5.30am.

He ordered them to surrender their passports to the court, and banned them from contacting the woman, or travelling to Tasman unless for work.

He also granted interim name suppression, to be reviewed at their next appearance.