A man who spent nearly a month evading police before using a court appearance to sack his lawyer has pleaded not guilty to nine charges, claiming they were "fabricated" by police.
Shawn Nicholas Harding, 40, appeared in the Napier District Court this morning via audio visual link to enter pleas before Judge Tony Adeane.
Represented by defence counsel Philip Jensen, Harding pleaded not guilty to one charge of breaching release conditions, two of breaching a protection order, two of burglary, and one of each of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, careless driving and dangerous driving causing injury.
During the appearance Jensen said he would be much obliged if the charges could be put to Harding directly so he could enter the pleas for himself.
When Judge Adeane asked why Harding was entering the pleas himself, Jensen replied: "He might not always want to take my advice."