Accused Wairoa attacker pleads not guilty

Denis Andrews spent nearly a week in hospital after he was attacked in his home. File picture

A man suspected of attacking Wairoa veteran Denis Andrews with a wooden pole during an alleged early morning home invasion, can now be named.

Iwitoa Gemmell, 28, was arrested last Monday and charged with aggravated burglary and wounding with intent to injure or with reckless disregard.

However, he could not be publicly identified at that stage as his case had not yet been called in court.

Gemmell was remanded in custody by consent until his first appearance on the charges via AV-link in Gisborne District Court yesterday.

Represented by counsel Alistair Clarke, Gemmell pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected a jury trial.

Judge Warren Cathcart further remanded Gemmell in custody for a Crown case review hearing on July 19.

The judge also scheduled him to apply for electronically-monitored bail on May 29.

Mr Andrews, a former Merchant Navy serviceman, was  attacked in his bed when he woke about 2.25am on April 26.

Just the day before, he had been participating — as he does every year — at Wairoa’s Anzac Day commemorations.

Mr Andrews spent nearly a week in hospital recovering from his injuries.

His cellphone, a landline phone, and his personal alarm pendant were  stolen during the incident.

Mr Andrews was particularly upset about the loss of the cellphone, which had the last photo taken of his late wife Ann.

Ahead of the arrest, police appealed to the public for information.

The cell phone has since been recovered and the precious photo of Mr Andrews’ late wife transferred to a new phone supplied to him by Victim Support.

Last week, Mr Andrews publicly thanked all the members of the community who had rallied around him after his ordeal.