Arthur Allan Thomas, who was twice wrongfully convicted for the infamous 1970 Crewe murders, has been charged with historical sexual offending.
On Thursday, the 81-year-old's interim name suppression was lifted in the Manukau District Court. Thomas, who is on bail, was excused from attending court.
Police confirmed that Thomas is facing one count of rape and four charges of indecent assault.
The historical allegations have been made by two complainants who came forward in February 2019, Detective Superintendent Dave Lynch said. Both have automatic name suppression.
"The matters are currently before the courts and police are unable to comment further about the circumstances of the case," he told Newshub.
Extensive suppression orders have prohibited the publication of any details about the allegations.
The 81-year-old pleaded not guilty to all five charges on November 28 and is due back in court in March. He has elected trial by jury.
Thomas was jailed twice for the murder of Waikato farmers Jeanette and Harvey Crewe. The couple were shot dead at their Pukekawa home on June 17, 1970, and their bodies were dumped in the Waikato River.
Although he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison in early 1971, Thomas was granted a royal pardon in 1979 and awarded $950,000 in compensation after serving nine years behind bars.
It was later concluded that a cartridge found by police in the couple's garden, four months after their murders, had been planted. An inquiry confirmed Detective Inspector Bruce Hutton and detective Len Johnston had fabricated the evidence.
The identity of the Crewes' killer remains a mystery.
