Pilot in court over ditched plane claim

A pilot who claimed he ditched a plane into the sea has been remanded until next month on fraud charges.

In 2004 Howard Lawrence Jamison claimed he ditched a plane off the Canterbury coast after the engine failed and he was forced to swim to shore.

It is alleged the plane was found undamaged in a shipping container in Ashburton last month.

Jamison, who is accused of dishonestly obtaining pecuniary advantage, faced two further similar charges when he appeared in Ashburton District Court today.

Jamison, 46, through solicitor Gretchen Hart, entered no plea and was remanded on continued bail to March 27.

Ms Hart said Jamison needed time to put his business affairs in order.

- NZPA