Man in court on assault and kidnapping charges

A Taranaki cleaner has appeared in court to face a number of charges, including kidnapping, after he allegedly held a woman hostage for 35 hours at the weekend.

During that time, she was subjected to serious violence, police said.

Jerome Clinton Rei, 23, from Patea , appeared in Hawera District Court yesterday to face two charges of injuring with intent, five charges of male assaults female, three charges of driving while disqualified, and possession of a butcher's knife.

No pleas were entered, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

Prosecutor Mark Wilton told the court the woman sustained injuries which required hospital treatment but she had since been discharged.

Police opposed bail and Rei was remanded in custody to reappear on March 30.

- NZPA