Pair deny trying to kill waiter

Two men accused of attempting to murder Auckland waiter Stephen Byrne pleaded not guilty yesterday.

Andrew Poki, aged 19, a roofer of Papakura, was granted bail to appear for a pre-depositions hearing next month.

But Judge Graham Noble denied bail for Phillip James Taylor, 26, unemployed of Papakura. He will appear for pre-depositions on the same day as Poki.

Poki's bail conditions stipulate that he must not enter the Auckland central business district except to visit his lawyer, and that he must observe a curfew between 7 pm and 7 am.

Judge Noble suppressed details of the accused's backgrounds and details of the case discussed in court.