Trial for alleged hammer attack on pregnant woman delayed

Kapiti-Mana District Commander Inspector Paul Basham during a press conference at Penguin Grove, Porirua, after the alleged incident. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A trial for a man accused of attacking a pregnant woman with a hammer and a knife has been delayed by a day.

A jury was empanelled in the High Court at Wellington today for the trial of Ruka Hemopo, who is facing charges including attempted murder and assault.

Hemopo, also known as Duane Thomas Makatea, is defending himself and has denied the accusations.

Justice David Collins adjourned the start of the trial until tomorrow.

The reasons for the delay were suppressed.

Ruka Hemopo survived being simultaneously shot and Tasered by police during the incident in the Porirua suburb of Waitangirua on May 2 last year.

Police were called to a house about 5.30am by a woman who reported her pregnant sister was being attacked with a hammer.

Two officers allegedly found Hemopo inside standing over the woman holding a knife. The officers opened fire simultaneously with a Taser and a Glock pistol.