Alleged prison hostage-taker given name suppression

The man charged after a prison guard was taken hostage at Auckland prison at Paremoremo on Friday had his name suppressed when he appeared at court today.

The 46-year-old man faced one charge of kidnapping a prison guard but he entered no plea and was remanded in custody to appear later this month.

In North Shore District Court, Judge Barbara Morris said the man's name would be suppressed until he instructed a lawyer.

The duty solicitor at the court appeared for him today, after brief instruction.

The man was charged after a prison guard was allegedly kidnapped and held hostage on Friday afternoon. Armed police rushed to the prison and stormed a storage room before the prison guard was released unharmed.

- NZPA