Tauranga double-murder accused denies alleged killings

Double murder accused appeared in the Tauranga High Court. Photo / File

A 25-year-old man has denied fatally shooting two Tauranga men at an Omanawa property.

The accused pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder when he appeared in the High Court at Tauranga today via an audiovisual link from prison.

The charges relate to the alleged shooting deaths of Paul Lasslett, 43, and 32-year-old Nick Littlewood at an Omanawa property on February 11 this year.

The defendant's lawyer Simon Lance entered the not guilty pleas on his client's behalf.

Lance sought continued name suppression for his client arguing publication may be prejudicial to the defendant's fair trial rights.

Lance also told Justice Graham Lang that he had only recently been assigned the defendant's legal counsel and needed more time to discuss the matter with him.

Crown solicitor Anna Pollet argued in favour of the lifting of the suppression orders in relation to naming the defendant and his alleged victims.

However, she sought interim suppression on the draft summary of facts which she said could be subject to change as the matter was part of an ongoing investigation.

Justice Lang continued the suppression order in relation to naming the defendant and he also suppressed the summary of facts on an interim basis.

Justice Lang said the matter would be reviewed on March 4, and further remanded the defendant in custody until that date.

A potential four-week jury trial date has been scheduled to begin on May 3, 2021.