July 21, 2011

Bail breach 'to help mum'

By David Clarkson at Christchurch Men's Prison

Police are strongly opposing bail for a man who says he came to Christchurch to help his mum, whose home was damaged in the earthquakes.

The problem was that Leon John Kereopa, 37, skipped out on his bail in Whangarei where he is due to stand trial on four firearms charges.

Duty solicitor Paul Bradford said Kereopa was a qualified carpenter and came south to help his mother whose home had been ?earthquaked?.

Since then, he has been arrested for two thefts and ended up before a Christchurch District Court sitting inside the men?s prison.

Judge Phillip Moran put off the bail application until next week so that a lawyer can be appointed for Kereopa in Christchurch. He already has one in Whangarei.

He is staying in custody in the meantime.