Man accused of dragging dog behind scooter

Kilt-wearing Christchurch man John McPherson, who allegedly dragged a dog behind his mobility scooter, has finally appeared in court after a range of problems prevented him from appearing earlier in the week.

The 70-year-old made a belated appearance before Judge Brian Callaghan in Christchurch District Court today on a charge of ill-treating a dog by dragging it along the footpath behind the scooter last November.

He was due at a status hearing on Tuesday to settle arrangements for a defended hearing before a judge.

But he did not turn up until later that day, when he was told to come to court this morning to make a voluntary appearance because an arrest warrant had already been issued.

The court was given some explanation of what had delayed him earlier in the week, which appeared to be a mixture of incontinence and the loss of his mobility scooter, which he said the Mongrel Mob had stolen and burnt.

He had also lost his legal aid lawyer, who withdrew from the case because she had been unable to get instructions.

Judge Callaghan today remanded McPherson on bail to May 24 for a further status hearing, and told him to reapply for legal aid because he still planned to defend the charge.

- NZPA