Amateur theatre buff named in teen sex case

A man accused of sexual offending against a 15-year-old girl has abandoned his bid to keep his name secret, after earlier claiming publication might affect ticket sales of an amateur dramatic production he was involved with.

Napier man Paul Collier, 53, has pleaded not guilty to committing an indecent act, and sexual connection with a girl aged 15. He appeared in Hastings District Court on Tuesday.

His lawyer, Matt Dixon, sought continued interim name suppression, and filed supporting documents.

Dixon said Collier, who was supported in court by his mother, wanted continuation of the name suppression until the show ended.

Collier had worked on lighting for Napier Operatic Society’s production of Oliver! – running at the Tabard Theatre from April 6 to 28.

His involvement in the show ended before the matter went to court.

Judge Tony Adeane declined the application for continued name suppression, saying: ‘‘Orders for suppression of name are the exception and certainly not the rule.’’

He granted a request by Dixon to give Collier until 4pm on Thursday to file an appeal. No appeal was submitted.

According to a court’s summary, Collier and the girl met on a ‘‘Daddy Dominate Little Girl’’ website early last year. At the time, the girl was 15 but portrayed herself as 21. Eventually, she told him her real age.

Collier told police he had asked her several times for her age, and he took her at her word.

He will appear in court again next month.

Napier Operatic Society chairman Greg Pickering said the society was advised of the case on Tuesday.

‘‘The minor in this incident was not someone with any connection to Napier Operatic Society.

‘‘The society was not aware of the grounds requested for name suppression.

‘‘Had the society known, it would not have supported this request.’’