Businessman denies kidnapping property developer

Auckland businessman Richard Kroon will plead not guilty to kidnapping fellow property developer Kim Spencer, his lawyer said today.

Kroon, 52, and another man face charges of kidnapping, using a firearm, injuring with intent to injure and demanding with menaces.

Kroon's lawyer, Guyon Foley, told North Shore District Court that Kroon would plead not guilty to all counts, which related to an incident last November.

"Each of the allegations is denied," he said.

Kroon's name was suppressed at his first court appearance last week, but Mr Foley said continued suppression was not being sought.

Kroon was remanded on bail until October 20 for the setting of a date for depositions.

His co-accused, 43, appeared in Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday when he entered no plea.

He was granted interim name suppression on the grounds that Kroon's identity was also suppressed at the time, and he was remanded on bail until next Tuesday.

Kroon and Mr Spencer have been involved as associates in the development of a site at Pakiri Beach, north of Auckland.

Police allege that Kroon and the co-accused kidnapped Mr Spencer last November 16 and forced him to sign papers transferring business profits from his business.

- NZPA