Refusal to enter court 'unseemly practice'

A former high-profile policeman accused of murdering his wife refused to go into court yesterday in what a judge called an "unseemly practice".

David McSweeney, 54, was charged with murdering Suzanne Marie McSweeney, 50, in April but when his name was called in North Shore District Court, his lawyer, Roger Chambers, said McSweeney did not wish to appear.

He was remanded in custody until next month.