Blood found on alleged kidnapper's artifical arm, court told

Blood discovered on an Upper Hutt man's prosthetic arm would show he had kidnapped and assaulted another man, a court heard today.

Jason Leslie Potter, 39, is charged with kidnapping Lance Christopher Mitchell, injuring with intent to injure, three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and one of threatening to kill.

Potter's trial the High Court at Wellington is the third he has faced on the charges. But Justice Alan MacKenzie today warned the 10-woman and two-man jury they should not speculate on why the previous two trials had not brought an end to the matter.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Mander today told the jury that early on January 30 last year, after a night drinking at bars and the home of a friend in Upper Hutt, Potter had driven Mitchell to Potter's own home in Upper Hutt.

There he assaulted him with a softball bat, stabbed him with a knife, and forced him to try and ring his mother for money to give to Potter.

Mr Mander said Potter had threatened to kill Mr Mitchell and cut his ears off.

He said the ordeal had continued for several hours before a female acquaintance of Potter's had turned up at the house.

Mr Mitchell required hospital treatment and is to testify at the trial.

Among the evidence Mr Mander said he would produce would be blood tests done by ESR scientists on blood found around Potter's house.

"Mitchell's blood was found on two locations on the accused's artificial arm which he wears."

Defence counsel Christopher Stevenson said from Potter's first interview with police, he had maintained his innocence and would continue to do so.

"He said 'I didn't hit him' and he denied causing any injuries to Lance Mitchell."

Mr Stevenson said the jury would have to consider Mr Mitchell's consistency and reliability as a witness.

"I'm asking you to keep an open mind."

The trial is expected to last three days.

- NZPA