Man in court for using dead man's car, bank card

A 28-year-old Auckland man facing charges related to the use of a dead man's car and bank card, was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Auckland District Court today.

George Warena faced two charges of obtaining by deception, one of using a credit card to perpetrate a fraud, one of theft of property, one of possession of cannabis for supply, one of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and three burglaries.

He made no plea, and was remanded in custody until March 26, when he will appear again in Auckland District Court.

Police said Warena was arrested yesterday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Breach said it was not known if Warena would face further charges.

Edward Hinchcliff, 24, collapsed in Hobson Street, near the TVNZ building in central Auckland on February 5.

He died in hospital of a large brain aneurism but he also had unexplained facial injuries.

Mr Hinchcliff was the son of former Auckland city councillor and AUT vice-chancellor Dr John Hinchcliff and nephew of former prime minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer.

However, because of his brain aneurism, Mr Hinchcliff was considered a "walking time bomb".

Mr Breach appealed for anyone sighting the car, a white Mazda Familia station wagon, registration CSS949, to call police.

- NZPA