A man accused of murdering a woman in a car crash has been threatened by inmates, his lawyer says.
Tony Allen Worrell, 49, appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday charged with murdering Katie Powles after he allegedly deliberately drove into her car near Karaka lastmonth.
He is also charged with attempting to murder Brett Stuart Robinson, 42, and faces six additional charges of assault by using his car as a weapon.
Worrell was remanded in custody until a pre-depositions hearing on July 30. He sat in a wheelchair with his head in his hands throughout his court appearance.
His lawyer, Matthew Goodwin, said Worrell had suffered severe head injuries and was being threatened while he was on remand.
"I indicated to the judge he had been threatened," Mr Goodwin said.
No assault had occurred and Mr Goodwin hoped his client would be looked after while on remand.
Any attack would aggravate Worrell's head injuries but Mr Goodwin said he wasn't authorised to discuss Worrell's medical condition.
Mr Goodwin told the Herald while the police report into the crash hadn't been fully disclosed at this stage, the murder charge looked to be too severe. Mr Goodwin said a charge of manslaughter would be more appropriate.
A bail application has been set down for the High Court tomorrow.
