A 73-year-old former Nelson Exclusive Brethren member has been committed to trial on historic sex charges.
Clive Allen Petrie faces seven representative charges of indecently assaulting four girls between 1951 and 1985.
All evidence at today's depositions hearing in the Nelson District Court was suppressed.
Defence counsel Hamish Riddoch sought a suppression order saying if the evidence was published it could prejudice a trial.
He said some charges dated back 56 years and an application would be made to stay the proceedings and for the charges to be discharged.
That application would be heard by a district court judge and there could possibly be a judicial review. Crown prosecutor Glen Marshall did not oppose the suppression application.
Justices of the Peace Harry Baigent and Jill McKnight ordered the evidence be suppressed until a further court order.
The JPs remanded Petrie on bail for callover on April 24.
