Heavy suppressions over case of man who handed himself over to police

The man's plea was made via his lawyer. Photo / Bevan Conley

By RNZ

A man, who turned himself in to police on Christmas Day in relation to an ongoing double homicide investigation in Ruatiti, has pleaded not guilty to two unrelated charges.

The man, whose identity is suppressed for legal reasons, was not required to appear in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday and made the plea via his lawyer.

The nature of the charges he faced was also suppressed.

It was the man’s second appearance in recent days.

On Friday, he appeared before a bail hearing.

All details of that hearing are also suppressed.

The man was due to reappear for a case review hearing in March.

The bodies of 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole were found at a rural property in Ruatiti, west of Ruapehu, on December 13.

No charges had been laid in relation to their deaths, and the homicide investigation is ongoing.

-RNZ