A man accused of rape and sexual violence charges stripped naked when he appeared in a Christchurch court.
The man, who has name suppression, was immediately escorted to the cells by court staff, Fairfax reported.
Christchurch District Court Judge Alistair Garland told the man's lawyer: "In view of the defendant stripping himself naked, I intend to proceed in his absence. Do you agree?"
The man is accused of sexually violating and raping a woman in Christchurch on January 3.
He was remanded in custody for an appearance by video-link from prison on February 20, Fairfax reported.
