Mental report for arms and drugs accused

A psychiatric report has been ordered for a man charged with possession of an arsenal of weapons and drugs at his suburban Christchurch home.

Kenneth Joseph Hawkins, a 38-year-old storeman, was remanded to May 17 for a report under the Criminal Procedures Mentally Impaired Persons Act when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday.

Judge Michael Green granted the remand at the request of defence lawyer Michael Knowles.

Judge Green sought the opinion of the psychiatric nurse at the Court House before making the remand. She told the court she had seen Hawkins at the time of his arrest in the middle of last month and did not believe there were mental health issues.

"But I would not object to a report if it was felt it could assist the court in any way."

At the time of his arrest, police said they were concerned about Hawkins' mental state.

The prosecutor said Hawkins' partner had expressed concern that he had "suicidal and homicidal tendencies".

Mr Knowles said there had been no disclosure yet of the details of the evidence by the police but he had held a helpful discussion with the officer in charge.

"I am confident I can resolve this matter within three weeks."

He did not seek bail for Hawkins, who faces 16 cannabis-related charges; possession of the class A drug psilocybine - magic mushrooms; producing the class B drug cannabis oil; illegal possession of a restricted weapon, a thunderflash altered to an improvised explosive device; illegal possession of another thunderflash, a smoke grenade, a fragmentation grenade, a back blast charge, and two trip flares, all restricted weapons; and illegal possession of .223 calibre ammunition, a 12-gauge shotgun shell, and 9mm ammunition, all restricted weapons.

- NZPA