In the Alexandra District Court yesterday, Judge Kevin Phillips apologised for being unable to deal with a media application to lift suppression orders in the case of a 55-year-old Central Otago man charged with perjury.
The court was briefly closed to the public while Judge Phillips considered the application, which was opposed by defence counsel Nic Soper.
The defendant, who was granted continued interim name suppression, remained in the dock while the application was discussed.
Mr Soper said he was unprepared to deal with the media application, and had expected the case to be further adjourned for a depositions hearing.
He asked for continued name suppression for the defendant.
Judge Phillips reluctantly adjourned the media application.
"I'm concerned because the application for media coverage has just been put to one side and hasn't been dealt with. I have to apologise [to the media]. I can't deal with this at this point in time.
"It will be dealt with by a judge in Dunedin, as a matter of some urgency," Judge Phillips said.
A date for the application to be heard was not set.
The defendant was remanded on bail to reappear for a three-day depositions hearing starting on October 4.
No plea was entered to the indictably laid charge.
Bail was not opposed by prosecutor Sergeant Tom Scoullar.
The man's name, occupation and details of the charge are suppressed.
