The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. After his first appearance on October 14, Lake was remanded without plea on police bail but had his request for continued interim name suppression denied by Judge Maree MacKenzie. At that hearing, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Toby Morgan, acknowledged it was not usual to oppose suppression on a first appearance, but in this case the Police were. “There is no requirement for name suppression to protect the complainants,” Morgan said. “Police believe there are further victims out there and the media attention will possibly encourage more to come forward.” Lake’s bail conditions involve him living at his Whangarei address, surrendering his passport and that he not to come to Taupō unless attending court and not to associate with various people listed in the bail bond.
Rotorua park stalker: Man admits following woman runner in Puarenga Park
11 Dec, 2020 07:00 PM
5 minutes to read
A Rotorua woman describes how she was followed by a man while running in Puarenga Park. Video / Kelly Makiha
A Rotorua woman describes how she was followed by a man while running in Puarenga Park. Video / Kelly Makiha
A man who repeatedly followed a petrified runner through a Rotorua track says he stalked her because he enjoyed watching her run. Rongopai Pene, 21, pleaded guilty to four charges in the Rotorua District Court on Thursday, including accosting a woman on a walking track on September 21 knowing his conduct was likely reasonably to frighten the woman.