Worst kept secret no more

The Herald reports:

A prominent New Zealander whose case was shrouded in secrecy last month can now be identified as former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

The ex-top cop faces eight charges of possessing child exploitation and bestiality material.

McSkimming, 52, first appeared by audio-visual link in the Wellington District Court in early July, but was granted interim name suppression as well as suppression of his charges.

It was widely known that McSkimming was the individual, so it is good name suppression has lapsed.

While it is sad to see the second most senior police officer in court on criminal charges, it is good that we have a system where no one is above the law. There are many countries where such an individual would never be charged.

I should also note that McSkimming is entitled to a defence to the charges. While I presume there is proof the material was on a device or devices he owned, he has potential defences such as they were related to a case, or someone else accesses his device, or they came through malware. How credible those defences are will depend on the evidence that goes before the court. So please no-one rush to judgment.