Fugitive Stewart to defend all 68 charges

William Alexander Stewart told the court his lawyer would enter his formal pleas. Photo / Simon Baker

William Alexander Stewart - who styled himself Billy the Hunted One during months of evading the police - says he plans to defend all 68 charges the police have laid against him.

He said so at a brief and polite appearance in Christchurch District Court before Judge Jacqui Moran today.

Stewart's hands were cuffed together and linked to his belt during the appearance.

He referred to the judge as "Your Honour" and explained that he did not have a lawyer but consented to the remand in custody for two weeks so that he could get one.

"I'll be defending all the charges, but will want my lawyer to enter the formal pleas," he said.

He said he was not applying for bail and thanked the judge when she did as he asked and remanded him in custody to June 24.

Sixty-two fresh charges were laid for today's appearance relating to his time on the run after he allegedly absconded when the police were about to execute a warrant for his arrest. It is believed there were already about six charges in the system at that time.

The charges include 43 burglaries, as well as possession of needles, procuring cannabis, failing to answer bail, breaching bail, failing to stop, dangerous driving, escaping from custody near Ashburton, theft from a car, unlawfully interfering with a car, assault using a blunt instrument, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of firearms, cultivating cannabis, possession of drug utensils, and failing to stop for a police car using its flashing lights.

The charges allege Stewart's offending was committed in Christchurch, Ashburton, Sheffield, Mount Somers, Tinwald, Arundel, Leeston, Peel Forest, Lincoln, Darfield, Hinds, Temuka, Southbridge, Methven, Teddington, Fairlie, Lake Tekapo, Geraldine, Mayfield, Winchester, Rakaia, and at Ealing, Valletta and Cavendish near Ashburton.

It was reported that he left a thank you note signed Billy the Hunted One at the scene of an alleged burglary during his time camped out while the police searched for him.

At today's appearance he had his trademark long hair, but had shaved off the bushy beard he had when he made his first appearance in court on May 27.

- NZPA