Kidnapping accused dragged from court

The man police say fired several shots during an armed kidnapping and hostage drama in Auckland at the weekend was dragged out of court today after he abused the media.

Leonard Archer Hall, 34, told the media to "get it right. F.....g Nazis, Mongrel Mob", after his case was adjourned until next week.

Hall was remanded in custody until June 13 on three charges of kidnapping after a 45-minute drama ended on Sunday when police forced the car, which they say he had hijacked at gunpoint, off the Northwestern Motorway.

Police say an elderly Chinese couple and their son were highly traumatised after Hall allegedly ordered them to drive from the St Lukes carpark. They say he had earlier refused a police order to stop a vehicle he was driving.

Detective Inspector Dave Pearson said the incident severely affected the three Chinese people.

"They are very very rattled," he said before Hall appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning.

Mr Pearson said police did not know how many additional charges Hall would face but there would be more.

Police were today scouring the route Hall had allegedly ordered the car to drive. Mr Pearson said they were searching for cartridge cases.

It is thought at least six shots were fired at police from a rifle, some of them during the 45 minutes of the chase and some at the St Lukes carpark.

Hall was dragged out of the dock in Auckland District Court and back to the cells after his appearance which lasted less than a minute.

- NZPA