EX-AB in abuse case stays secret

A former All Black who admitted beating his son with a belt will keep his name secret to protect the identity of the victim.

The man will be sentenced in the Auckland District Court today on a single charge of assaulting a child but appeared in court yesterday seeking permanent name suppression.

In November, he admitted twice belting his son across the legs and shoulders with the leather tongue section of his belt because he was at the ‘‘end of his tether’’ with the boy fighting with his sister.

Judge Pippa Sinclair yesterday granted the boy name suppression and anything that could lead to his identification. She said the suppression order was to protect the child — and not his father.

The judge said if his father’s name was public it would identify the child, which could lead to him being teased or feel guilt about what happened.

Although she said the child had nothing to feel guilty about, Judge Sinclair pointed to a psychologist’s report presented by the former sportsman’s lawyer, John Eichelbaum, that noted the boy had a close relationship with his father and was likely to feel guilt about any public embarrassment he may face.

Mr Eichelbaum told the court the offending was at the bottom end of the spectrum in seriousness but Judge Sinclair said she did not accept it wasn’t a serious offence.

The boy received minor bruising to his shoulder and redness and bruising to his lower leg, which he received medical attention for. It is believed his school alerted authorities, including CYF.