Enjoined

A v Fairfax NZ Ltd Judgment 280311

The complainant in the Hughes case has gained an injunction prohibiting publication of his name. I have to confess I thought his name was suppressed anyway as the complainant is alleging a sexual crime, but it seems this only applies once the Police lay charges.

Regardless I wouldn’t name him anyway (I have been aware of his identity since before this matter went public) as it would be a scummy thing to do.

The injunction names six defendents, being Fairfax, APN, TVNZ, Mediaworks, Danyl McLauchlan and myself. This isn’t because any of us have named him, but that they were specifically worried we may do so – or that a commenter on our site will.

The suppression applies to everyone who becomes aware of the order though – not just those named. So anyone who names him, or supplies information which can identify him, will be in breach of the order.

One interesting thing in the injunction is that it confirms the complaint is “sexual assault” rather than “indecent assault”. That is a more serious matter. of course it doesn’t mean that charge will be laid, if any are laid at all.