Northland Man Appeals High Court Ruling on Name Suppression

A man from Northland linked to the religious group known as the Two by Twos is appealing to the High Court to maintain his name suppression in a child abuse case. This development follows his initial appearance in the Whangārei District Court in November 2024, where he faced multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of boys dating back to the 1980s.

The man has successfully kept his name suppressed for the past year. However, following a recent ruling by the district court that denied his request for continued suppression, he has decided to challenge this decision. The district court not only declined to extend the name suppression but also rejected the man’s application to have his charges severed. Had the application been successful, it would have allowed for two separate trials.

The case has drawn attention due to the serious nature of the allegations, which include historical sexual abuse. The man’s legal team argues that continued name suppression is necessary to protect his right to a fair trial and to prevent undue harm to his reputation.

It remains to be seen how the High Court will respond to the appeal. The outcome could set a precedent regarding name suppression in cases involving sensitive allegations, particularly those connected to historical abuse.

As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains watchful, aware of the implications such cases have on public discourse surrounding child protection and accountability within religious organizations.