Police shooting accused still not named

Constable Jeremy Snow and his partner were on a routine patrol when they were shot at. Photo / Supplied

The identity of the man accused of trying to murder a policeman, hit four times in a hail of gunfire, remains suppressed.

The 28-year-old was charged with the attempted murder of South Auckland police constable Jeremy Snow on December 22.

Mr Snow and his partner were checking a car in a drive at a Papatoetoe house when gunfire erupted and Mr Snow was hit four times. Three of the bullets penetrated his body, one hitting a major blood vessel in his leg.

He was rescued by armed police as he came close to dying from blood loss.

As well as the attempted murder charge, the man faced eight firearms, drugs and theft charges.

During an earlier appearance in Manukau District Court, Judge Charles Blackie refused name suppression, saying the concept of open justice was the principal issue.

That decision was appealed and at a hearing in the High Court at Auckland today the suppression matter was adjourned until next week because the crown case was not ready to be argued, said the man's lawyer Shane Tait.

The man also appeared in Manukau District Court today and was remanded on all charges until March 15.

Mr Snow, 28, spent several days in Middlemore Hospital.

- NZPA