Leading lawyer faces probe | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

A leading Tauranga criminal lawyer is being investigated over allegations of a relationship with a teenage girl.

Craig Horsley is being investigated by the New Zealand Law Society over allegations of a relationship with a 16-year-old he was representing as a youth advocate.

Police said she was now 17 and presently in custody.

Mr Horsley did not return calls from the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday.

Police became involved because of concerns about the girl's age.

Former Western Bay of Plenty police commander Inspector Mike Clement said he ordered an investigation and it was established there was no crime.

It is understood there was no formal complaint from the girl.

Waikato-Bay of Plenty Law Society president Bruce Hesketh said police notified him of the situation late last year.

He said he contacted the New Zealand Law Society and organised for it "to go out of town because too many people know him".

Mr Hesketh said: "When it came to my attention, I was concerned. If there is no truth to this, we obviously have to support him. If there is something in it then, of course, there will be issues with the Law Society about that. We're not prejudging it, we're investigating it properly.

"Under the circumstances it's gone to Christchurch and that's where it's at." .