Man held in custody over 83-year-old's assault

A man made a brief appearance in Manukau District Court this morning charged with assaulting an 83-year-old woman in Howick, Auckland, last week.

Brett Stuart Wellm faces six charges, including allegations he entered her Bleak House Rd home armed with a wooden stick, and that he entered a MacLeans Rd house armed with a knife.

The 42-year-old faces further charges of assaulting the woman, intentionally damaging her property by fire and assaulting and threatening to kill a police officer.

Wellm, whose address is not known, was remanded in custody and will return to court for a pre-depositions hearing in February.