Axe attack case postponed

A pre-depositions hearing for a man accused of an axe attack on Prime Minister Helen Clark's electorate office was postponed today, leading to his supporters putting off a courthouse protest.

Timothy Selwyn, 30, is charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage, seditious conspiracy and making a seditious statement.

He was to have reappeared in Auckland District Court this morning.

But his case was adjourned for two weeks to allow police more time to make full disclosure of evidence against him.

Selwyn's supporters had planned to be outside the courthouse handing out "seditious material".

They said they would mount the protest at Selwyn's next court appearance.

Selwyn first appeared in court in December, where he was allowed bail on conditions that included not going within 50m of Ms Clark's electorate office in Mt Albert.

The office was attacked on November 18 when an axe was embedded in a window, apparently in response to the Government's foreshore and seabed legislation.

Police later discovered flyers on Ponsonby Rd, about 2km away, that said the attack was a pakeha protest about the Government's attempts to steal Maori land through the legislation.

- NZPA