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A Northland man charged with bigamy may go on trial next month.
James Hartley Kelly, 50, appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday on the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years' jail.
The Crown alleges that Kelly, who is from Scotland, married Mary Farmer in Edinburgh in September 1977, but did not get a divorce when they broke up after about six years.
It's alleged Kelly came to New Zealand in 1986 and married his second wife, Georgina Mason, in Lower Hutt in April 1989.
Kelly was due to stand trial last June but failed to appear and was arrested on a warrant earlier this month. In court yesterday Kelly indicated he wanted the case resolved as soon as possible.
News of Kelly's arrest has made headlines in Scotland.
The Edinburgh Evening News interviewed Kelly's first wife and his 23-year-old daughter, who said they were stunned to learn of the charges. Mary Kelly had not seen him for 20 years.
In court yesterday crown prosecutor Peter Magee indicated Kelly's trial could be held on May 14 if an application to adjourn another trail scheduled for that date was granted.
Judge John McDonald remanded Kelly in custody for a week to allow Mr Muston, who has only recently been appointed, to review the case and take further instructions from his client.
Kelly will re-appear in court next Friday.
