Alleged gun supplier in double-murder case remanded on bail

Salesman Michael John Hayes appears In the Whangarei District Court on charges of supplying firearms to gunman Quinn Patterson. 28 August 2017 Northern Advocate Photograph by John Stone NAG 2

A salesman who pleaded not guilty to charges of supplying military style semi-automatic firearms to Whangarei double-murderer Quinn Patterson has been further remanded on bail.

Michael John Hayes, 61, a salesman of Maunu, reappeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday for a case review.

Hayes is facing three charges of supplying a military style semi-automatic (MSSA) to an unlicensed person, three of supplying firearms to an unlicensed person, and another three of unlicensed possession of those weapons and a pistol grip.

The firearms he allegedly supplied included a Mossburg 12-gauge shotgun, a Gevarm .22 calibre rifle, an AK47 replica semi-automatic rifle, a Saiga 12-gauge shotgun and a 7.62 calibre rifle with various magazines.

The alleged offences took place between March 1 and May 1 this year at a rural property near Whangarei.

Hayes has elected a jury trial and will reappear for a callover on January 26, 2018.

Police laid the charges under the Arms Act 1983. The charge of unlawful possession of a MSSA carries a maximum penalty of three years or a fine of $4000. Charges of supplying each carry a three-month jail term or a $1000 fine.

An investigation into circumstances that led to the deaths of Wendy Campbell and her daughter, Natanya, and Patterson's history, is ongoing.

Patterson, who did not have a firearms licence, fatally shot the women at his rented property on Mt Tiger Rd in July while they were on a property inspection. Contractor Jeff Pipe was also shot but managed to escape.