A Bay of Plenty forestry worker accused of robbing two Tauranga superette employees with a tomahawk plans to defend the allegation at a jury trial.
Woodstock Junior Kino, 23, denied one charge each of aggravated robbery and burglary when he appeared via audio visual link in the Tauranga District Court yesterday. Lawyer Tony Rickard-Simms entered the not guilty pleas on Kino's behalf and told Judge Simon Menzies his client elected to defend the charges at a trial by jury.
Police allege Kino robbed the female owner of Brookfield Superette and her relative while armed with tomahawk on August 5 last year and fled with $370.30 cash.
The burglary charge relates to Kino allegedly entering a Henderson Crescent, Tauranga property on October 5, 2015.
The robbery charge has a maximum penalty of 14 years' prison and 10 years imprisonment for the burglary charge.
Kino was further remanded in custody by consent to next appear at a case review hearing on December 5. No trial date has yet been set down.