File photoA senior first responder facing child exploitation charges has elected to have a judge-alone trial. The man, whose name and occupation are suppressed, has pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to the possession and exportation of child exploitation material brought by Customs last year. He had previously elected a trial by jury but has now opted for a judge-alone trial. His lawyer Craig Ruane said the man's employment had been terminated because the charges "brought his employer into disrepute". Judge Elkin agreed to extend the man's interim name suppression until his trial because publication would cause extreme hardship.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 09, 2026 03:46 UTC