Seasonal worker facing rape charge breaches bail

A seasonal worker has breached bail in Marlborough after being accused of raping a woman in Motueka. The Tongan man was one of two men jointly accused of raping a woman in the early hours of New Year's Day. The men were orchard workers in Motueka under the Recognised Employer Scheme at the time of the alleged offence, but had since moved to Marlborough for work. They had their first appearance at the Blenheim District Court on June 30, and were released on bail with a curfew from 9pm to 5.30am. The mans lawyer Marcus Zintl, said his client breached curfew in the early hours of Sunday morning, when a woman picked him up from his address. He presented himself at the Blenheim Police Station just after 8am on Sunday, after learning police had tried to check up on him, Zintl said. Zintl said the man accepted the breach, apologised, and knew if he were to breach bail conditions he would end up in custody. Police did not oppose him being readmitted to bail, but asked for the breach to be recorded. With the help of an interpreter Judge Garry Barkle told the man it was hugely important that he complied with bail. If it happens again, one does not know what will happen then, Judge Barkle said. The man was remanded on bail to August 10 with interim name suppression to continue to that date.