Alleged bigamist to face court

WELLINGTON: A man accused of bigamy is fit to stand trial, his lawyer says.

The 48yearold Porirua man was granted interim name suppression in the Porirua District Court at an earlier appearance in November, for reasons that were also suppressed.

He appeared in court yesterday where name suppression was supposed to be argued fully, but the argument was put off for a third time to give further time for evidence to be gathered in support of suppression.

The argument will focus on possible risk of suicide to the defendant, and hardship to his daughter in the form of schoolyard bullying.

He has previously pleaded not guilty to charges of bigamy and obtaining by deception.

The complainant also has interim name suppression.

The man’s counsel yesterday said two psychiatric reports had now been completed, and his client was considered fit to stand trial.

However he had not yet been able to discuss pleas with him.

The man was remanded to appear again in court in March where he will enter pleas, and name suppression will be argued. — The New Zealand Herald