Carmen defendant facing fresh charge

Bradford James Joseph Callaghan. Photo/ Brett Phibbs

The man accused of murdering Auckland mother Carmen Thomas and disposing of her body is facing a fresh charge.

Bradford James Joseph Callaghan is now also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It is understood the new charge relates to the period between June 29, when the Crown says Callaghan murdered Ms Thomas, and Callaghan's arrest on September 21.

Ms Thomas' body was found dismembered and in concrete containers after a 10-week police investigation. The 32-year-old had been partially buried in the Waitakere Ranges.

Yesterday, in the High Court at Auckland, Callaghan's lawyer entered not guilty pleas to both charges.

Callaghan, 33, wore a grey suit and sneakers as he stood in the dock for the brief appearance.

Defence lawyer Stuart Grieve, QC, told the court a date for the trial had been set for next February.

He said it was expected to take up to five weeks.

Mr Grieve said there could be a reason the trial would not proceed "but I don't want to discuss that in court with media present".

He said he had yet to receive full disclosure from the police. "I make no criticism of police over that - it is an ongoing complex matter."

At a previous hearing in the Auckland District Court, it was revealed that police had 132 witness statements, 19,000 pages of evidence and CDs.

Justice Pamela Andrews remanded Callaghan in custody until his trial.