Custody warning after bail breach

Dennis Rangiaho Hohua appeared in Masterton District Court on his fourth breach of bail conditions.

A 45-year-old Masterton man facing serious sex offences has been warned to take his cellphone to bed because he's at risk of being remanded in custody if he doesn't answer the door when police check on him.

Dennis Rangiaho Hohua appeared in Masterton District Court on his fourth breach of bail conditions.

Defence lawyer Jock Blathwayt said Hohua had gone to Wairarapa Hospital when police did the curfew check.

Crown prosecutor Harriet Goodhew said it was the fourth breach and he had told police he had been asleep and hadn't heard them knocking on the door.

Hohua has denied charges of rape, unlawful sexual connection and indecent assault. The charges were laid after a party in Masterton on Saturday, August 2, allegedly attended by Hohua.

He has been on bail since.

As she granted Hohua bail again, Judge Barbara Morris warned him about "pushing judicial patience" and told him to give police his cellphone number and to sleep with it under his pillow.

"You are treading a very thin line. There is no wriggle room in the future. You can ill afford to put a step wrong ... it is your obligation to be at the door."

If police checked him again and he wasn't home he could expect his liberty to be gone.

"You will be at grave risk of being remanded in custody," she said.

Hohua is subject to a curfew between 6pm and 6am, must not drink alcohol or have any contact with the complainant.

He is due to appear in Wellington District Court on December 9 for a pre-trial callover.