Bail bid by Christmas burglary accused

A man charged over a Christmas Day gift burglary is making a bid for bail, but he will stay in custody for at least one more night.

Rory Khan Conley, 26, began his bail application in the Christchurch District Court today, but it will not be decided until he returns to court tomorrow morning.

He is charged with the burglary of a North Island family's motel unit at the Meadow Park Holiday Camp in Papanui at 3am on Christmas Day.

The family's two daughters aged four and six were woken when police say burglars took off with their recently filled Santa sacks and the family car.

Police said they stopped Conley nearby in a vehicle and recovered the younger girl's presents. They also made arrangements for another batch of freshly wrapped presents for the six-year-old.

Another alleged offender is still at large, and the family's car was not found. It is a Mazda Familia, coloured silver, registration YN6144.

Conley was in court charged with possession of two cannabis pipes as well as the burglary charge.

Defence counsel Serina Bailey said he was cooperating with police and denied that he had been responsible for taking the gifts.

Judge Brian Callaghan remanded Conley to tomorrow so that the police prosecutor, Acting Sergeant Michael Tuialii could make inquiries with the officer in charge of the case about Conley's claim of co-operation, and find out if other charges were being laid.

A young woman walked from the courtroom's public seats in tears after the announcement that Conley would stay in custody overnight.

- NZPA