Mark Pakenham. File Photo / Greg Bowker
The man charged with the 2003 murder of Sara Niethe has been denied bail after a brief appearance in court today.
Mark Pakenham, 49, is charged with murdering Kerepehi mother-of-three Sara Niethe on or about March 30, 2003 at his Kaihere home.
In a bail hearing held in the North
Shore District Court this afternoon, Judge Barbara Morris rejected the bail application and suppressed the argument behind the bid.
Pakenham has been remanded in custody and will re-appear in court next month.
Ms Niethe, from Kerepehi, 23km south of Thames, was reported missing when she failed to return home after visiting Pakenham at his property on Kaihere, on State Highway 27.
