Man accused of looting quake-damaged hotel in court

The damaged Hotel Grand Chancellor in central Christchurch. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A Christchurch man appeared in court today charged with burgling the earthquake-crippled Hotel Grand Chancellor in the city's central red zone.

Aidan Astwood, 23, is accused of sneaking under the red zone perimeter wire last week with intent to clear out the 26-storey Hotel Grand Chancellor - one of the tallest buildings in the city.

The hotel was damaged in the February 22 magnitude 6.3 earthquake and has been earmarked for demolition by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera).

The unemployed man was also allegedly found by patrolling police officers in the devastated Cashel Mall shopping strip, in breach of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act, last Tuesday.

A third charge alleges he stole keys and access cards worth $100 from the property of persons unknown

He appeared from custody at a Christchurch District Court hearing held at the mens' prison today.

Judge Philip Moran remanded Astwood in custody until next week so he could apply for Legal Aid funding.