Stop-go murder trial: Neighbour recalls shots

Quinton Paul Winders.

A witness in the trial of Quinton Winders has told the court he was shot at by someone in the direction of Winders' farm land - four years before stop-go worker George Taiaroa was shot dead.

Stratford farmer and hunter Nigel Ford was hunting pigs with his dogs and son on a friend, Kenneth Lobb's farm in 2009.

In the High Court at Rotorua today Mr Ford said he was just walking along when three shots were fired at him, metres above his head, with the first two shots flicking up dirt when they hit the ground.

He said with his experience he thought the weapon fired at him would have been at least a .308 high powered rifle, not a .22 rifle which is believed to be the murder weapon.

Winders is accused of murdering stop go worker George Taiaroa in March 2013. He has denied the charge.

Mr Lobb told the court he was very worried when he heard someone had fired three shots at hunters on his farm, and recalled speaking to his neighbour Winders about the incident.

Earlier Justice Kit Toogood had warned the jury the evidence was disputed by the defence and they should keep an open mind about it until the end of the trial.

The trial continues on Monday.