Pair in jail over Dutch kidnapping case

Two men charged in relation to the kidnap and robbery of a Dutch tourist couple in the Bay of Islands have been remanded in custody for a week.

The defendants, one aged 27 and the other 29, were granted interim name suppression by a Justice of the Peace this afternoon when they appeared in Kaikohe District Court.

Both were remanded in custody until November 29.

The pair face a number of joint charges of rape, kidnapping, aggravated robbery and stupefying the young Dutch woman complainant.

More charges likely in kidnapping case

All charges relate to the couple's abduction from Haruru Falls near Paihia by two armed men on the night of November 10.

The JP hearing the matter also forbid the publication or broadcast of any photographs identifying the defendants. Police inquiries into the attack are still continuing but police say that no more arrests are expected.