Man charged with murder

A 37-year-old man who claims he is from the Bay of Plenty is charged with the kidnap and murder of 50-year-old Hastings man Johnny Wright.

The accused, who was granted name suppression, appeared in the Hastings District Court for the second time yesterday on 13 indictable charges including unlawfully detaining and murdering Mr Wright on June 24.

Additional charges laid after alleged incidents with other victims included kidnapping, possession of an offensive weapon, multiple counts of threatening to kill, assault and assault with intent to injure.

Heavily tattooed, the man told Judge Tony Adeane he hailed "from the Bay of Plenty" and was yet to speak to his lawyer.

Mr Wright, a sickness beneficiary who had not been seen or heard from since June 21, was reported missing by his family in July.

Police said forensic evidence found at his Caroline Rd home suggested foul play.

When his flat was cleared on June 25, blood was found on the lounge wall, floor and ceiling, along with a few of his personal possessions.

A public tip-off led to a search of a rural property near Eskdale, where Mr Wright's body was discovered in a shallow grave. Judge Adeane remanded the accused man in custody until his next appearance on December 6.