Jade Arena, 35, appeared in the Tauranga District Court today and denied charges of committing a home invasion burglary and robbery. Photo / File
A Tauranga man accused of a home invasion burglary and knifepoint robbery of a Gate Pa man last month plans to defend the allegations at a jury trial.
Jade Arena, 35, who appeared in the Tauranga District Court today via an audio-visual link from prison, denied one charge each of
aggravated burglary and robbery through his lawyer.
Police allege that Arena entered the Watling St, Gate Pa home of his alleged victim on January 30 this year armed with a knife with the intention of committing a crime.
It is further alleged Arena robbed 30-year-old Manmohan Rawat and fled the house with a Samsung cellphone, car keys, wallet, a laptop, and a gold chain necklace.
Lawyer Taryn Bayley told Judge Edwin Paul her client elected trial by jury.
