Paul James Bennett, who also goes by the name of David Kite or Dennis Kite, and his wife Simone Anne Wright, also known as Sarah Kite. Photo / Supplied
Paul James Bennett, who also goes by the name of David Kite or Dennis Kite, and his wife Simone Anne Wright, also known as Sarah Kite. Photo / Supplied
One of New Zealand's most wanted fugitives, deported from Australia yesterday, has appeared in court this morning on a raft of charges, alleging fraud, forgery, theft, indecent assaults and drug offences.
Paul Bennett, who has allegedly been on the run from police for more than a decade, appeared from custodyat Christchurch District Court this morning.
The 53-year-old is accused of 48 varying offences between June 2007 and February 6, 2015, across New Zealand, including Auckland, Manukau, Whangarei, Paihia, Taupo, Palmerston North, Upper Hutt, Christchurch, Cust, Wanaka, Naseby, and Invercargill.
They include allegations that along with now-estranged wife Simone Wright, he indecently assaulted a 15-year-old girl on two occasions between March 28 and April 1, 2008.
Bennett is also accused of supplying the teenager the class B drug MDMA, or ecstasy.
He appeared before a Justice of the Peace this morning wearing a black jersey, sporting a thin grey beard, and clutching envelopes of documents.
Duty lawyer Clare Yardley said she has applied for Legal Aid.
No application for bail was made.
Bennett was remanded in custody without plea to reappear in court on June 9.
Police launched Operation Kite in 2014 to investigate a string of fraud allegations with Bennett a person of interest in a fraud investigation they believe may total more than $1 million.
It relates to selling watches on Trade Me and brokering helicopter deals dating back to 1998.
