Kapiti case: Temper flares at court

Victim Sean Strongman-Lintern. Photo / supplied

Police presence was massively increased at Porirua District Court today when a man charged with killing another man on the Kapiti coast made a brief appearance.

Up to 20 police officers were in the court room when Tristim Eastham, 24, made his second appearance after being charged with the murder of 20-year-old Sean Strongman-Lintern.

As Eastham stood in the dock with his head bowed one man loudly exclaimed "f*** you, you f***ing murderer".

Judge Geoff Ellis said the man could remain in the public gallery if he remained calm, but when he again yelled out "I know what you f***ing done, you c***" he was escorted out of the court by police.

Eastham's lawyer, Greg King, asked that Eastham be further remanded in custody until next month.

Mr Strongman-Lintern, a popular young rugby league player from the area, died after a fight outside the Kapiti Lights Complex last month.

His death came five weeks after 17-year-old Izak Millanta died near the same complex.

The men knew each other, playing for the same league team, and Mr Strongman-Lintern reportedly tried to help Izak on the night of his death.

A 25-year-old man has been charged with assault over Izak's death.

Eastham's family did not want to make any comment outside the court room today.

The man who yelled out in the court, as well as his supporters, also declined to comment.