Wooden pole allegedly used in Wairoa attack

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A man accused of attacking a Wairoa veteran in his own home last week, allegedly used a wooden pole as a weapon.

The suspect who cannot be named yet, was scheduled to appear in an arrest list in Gisborne District Court yesterday afternoon but the case was administratively adjourned to Monday.

He is charged with aggravated burglary using a wooden pole as a weapon.

Former merchant navy serviceman Dennis Andrews, 79, was attacked by an intruder who broke into his house in Brian Avenue, Wairoa, at about 2.25am last Wednesday — less than a day after attending the town’s annual Anzac Day service.

He spent five days in hospital recovering from injuries he received during the attack.

Mr Andrews’ cellphone containing the last photograph taken of his late wife was stolen during the ordeal but has since been recovered.