Rape accused to plead next week

Avonside man Tony Shane Tonihi says he will enter pleas next Monday on sexual violation charges arising from an alleged street attack on a 20-year-old woman in Christchurch late on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old was remanded in custody to December 6 when he made his first appearance before Judge Michael Crosbie in the Christchurch District Court today, the Christchurch Court News website reported.

Defence counsel Rupert Glover said the pleas would be entered at his next appearance.

Police allege the woman was attacked about midnight on Saturday as she walked along Hereford Street, Linwood. She was dragged into the front yard of a property where the alleged sex attack took place.

The attack was interrupted by a resident of the house who heard screaming, giving her a chance to escape. A police patrol quickly found the woman, and then found the alleged attacker crouching in a yard.

Tonihi faces charges of sexually violation by rape, unlawful sexual connection, theft, threatening to cause grievous bodily harm and injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

- NZPA