Man accused of trying to set witness alight to stop evidence

Court documents say the accused doused another man in petrol and tried to set him alight on July 22. Photo / File

An Auckland man allegedly tried to deter another man from giving evidence by "dousing him in petrol and attempting to set him alight".

Amir Bananfard appeared in the Auckland District Court today charged with attempting to dissuade a man by corrupt means from giving evidence in a criminal proceeding.

Court documents allege Bananfard, who has no listed occupation, doused the man in petrol and tried to set him alight on July 22 in Auckland.

Bananfard is also charged with driving while disqualified, assault with intent to injure, threatening to do grievous bodily harm, and robbery.

He entered a not guilty plea to all the charges he faces and was remanded in custody until November.

According to court documents, Bananfard has no fixed abode.

Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin said a 38-year-old man was arrested on July 22 after an incident in Mt Eden.

As this matter was before the courts police were unable to make any further comment, Baldwin said.

The robbery is alleged to have occurred on June 20.