Armed robbery accused remanded

An armed police officer stands guard on Kerikeri Rd after the Homestead Tavern was robbed on June 9. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF

A man accused of robbing a pub at gunpoint then putting an elderly couple through a terrifying kidnap ordeal is due to go on trial later this year.

Patrick Michael Cook was again remanded in custody when he appeared in the Kaikohe District Court on Friday on a raft of charges relating to incidents at the Homestead Tavern in Kerikeri and a private dwelling on Kamo's Three Mile Bush Rd.

Police allege the Kerikeri 36-year-old, along with an accomplice, robbed the Homestead Tavern of a large sum of money on June 9 after tying up two staff members and putting a rifle to the female worker's head.

A few days later police say he kidnapped a Kamo couple and took their car, which was later found abandoned at Puketona. The incident left the couple badly traumatised.

Cook was arrested after a short chase by car and on foot which ended on Kerikeri's Shepherd Rd.

He was charged with four counts of kidnapping, four counts of aggravated robbery (two with a firearm and two with another weapon), two counts each of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and driving without a licence, aggravated burglary, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and wilful damage. Police withdrew a charge of possession of an offensive weapon.

Cook is due back in court on November 4 for a pre-trial application hearing. December 10 has been set down as a start date for a jury trial in the Kaikohe District Court.