A 37-year-old charged with aggravated burglary, who allegedly waved a 400mm Japanese-style samurai sword at a couple and threatened one with a machete, was denied bail in Masterton District Court this week.
Police opposed the bail application.
Police allege on October 20 at 11pm Peter Douglas Tapine, presser, of Masterton and Jackson Huata, 47, unemployed of Masterton, arrived at the door of a Masterton house armed with a sword and robbed the couple residing there.
It is also alleged Huata shouted abuse, demanding money and, while doing so, Tapine swung a sword around.
The charge alleges the men robbed the Masterton couple of an AC/DC compact disc.
During the burglary, Tapine was also alleged to have threatened to stab one of the complainants with a machete and the complainant had to use a pocket knife to protect himself.
The two accused were arrested a few days after the incident after three addresses were searched and a sword and machete seized.
Tapine appeared in Masterton District Court on Tuesday seeking a bail application and indicated he would be willing to travel to his father's address in Hawke's Bay.
Sergeant Garry Wilson said the complainants were still distraught after the incident. "The complainants are extremely fearful, they are known to you and they are very concerned by the prospect of revenge and they say that if bail is granted they'll be too scared to go out."
Sergeant Wilson told Judge Susan Thomas that even if the accused was to move away from the area he would not be satisfied.
"Even if he is bailed to an address outside Wairarapa it doesn't protect the public," Sergeant Wilson said.
Judge Thomas said she was mindful of a delay before the trial but in her assessment the defendant had not convinced her he would not reoffend while on bail. Tapine was remanded in custody until his next appearance on February 4.
