Name suppression has been granted to the man charged with kidnapping missing Tauranga man, Harley Shrimpton.
The 21-year old appeared in the Tauranga District Court last week, facing charges of kidnapping, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and driving while forbidden.
28-year old Shrimpton was last seen in a blue Toyota Prius in the Mount Maunganui McDonald’s carpark on November 3rd.
"This car was unlawfully taken the day before, 2 November, from the Bellevue area in Tauranga and has since been recovered by Police," Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow, Bay of Plenty Field Crime Manager says.
According to the Bay of Plenty Times, Court charging documents show that police allege Shrimpton was “unlawfully taken away with his consent obtained under duress” with the intent to confine him.
The charge of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle relates to the Toyota Prius, valued at $7000.
The Times reports, Defense lawyer Nicholas Dutch sought interim name suppression, asserting that publication "may prejudice his fair trial rights" due to an ongoing police investigation.
Community Magistrate Jensen ordered the defendant to remain in custody until re-appearing on December 6th.
No pleas to the charges have been entered.
Image: NZ Police.
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