Murder accused abused in court

Supporters of Christchurch widow Gaynor Alice White had to be restrained as they hurled abuse at the 22-year-old man accused of murdering her when he reappeared in Christchurch District Court today.

"You don't deserve to be on this earth," said one supporter while another shouted "Die!", the Christchurch Court News website reported.

Mrs White, 63, was found dead in her Huntsbury home in the Cashmere Hills last Friday in what police believe was a burglary that went wrong.

She was bashed with a hammer the offender is thought to have found on her property. She suffered severe head injuries.

Skilling was arrested by armed police on Saturday afternoon in the car park of Pak'n Save, Moorhouse Ave. It is understood that the quick arrest came after a tip-off.

Skilling was also charged on Monday with the burglary of another Huntsbury house last Wednesday and assaulting a woman earlier this month.

He was remanded in custody to March 8 by Judge Noel Walsh.

Thirty-five police staff were working on the investigation, and search warrants had recovered property allegedly taken from Mrs White's house.

"We have recovered some items definitely taken from the address, and some others that may have been," Acting Detective Inspector Dave Long said.

Mrs White's family were yet to go through her house to see if anything else was missing, he said.

Mrs White co-owned clothing manufacturer Wraggs Manufacturing with her late husband, Dennis White.

She was widowed six years ago. She is survived by two children and a grandchild.

Skilling is described as an unemployed man from the Christchurch suburb of Parklands.