Hunted Billy finally gets a lawyer

William Alexander Stewart was handcuffed when he appeared in Christchurch District Court on nearly 70 charges in May. Photo / Simon Baker

Finally, almost 11 weeks after his arrest near Mayfield in Mid-Canterbury, fugitive William Alexander Stewart has got himself a lawyer to begin work on almost 70 charges he faces.

The self-styled "Billy the Hunted One" - part of a message police allege he left at a burglary scene - today made his fifth court appearance since his May 27 arrest.

Christchurch defence counsel Glenn Henderson has been assigned and spoke for Stewart today.

He sought a remand for a month to sort out the large bundle of charges in the file, and said Stewart consented to being held in custody for that time.

Once again, Stewart was handcuffed for his brief appearance before Judge Philip Moran in Christchurch District Court, where he was remanded to September 7.

He will be in custody for his 48th birthday on Saturday.

Stewart faces charges including 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.

He has so far entered no pleas to any charges, but he has indicated he plans to defend them all.

- NZPA