KEY POINTS:
The security watch over murder accused Graeme Burton has been stepped up after two attempts were made to breach a cordon at Wellington Hospital.
Five guards are now patrolling outside Burton's ward - two Corrections officers, two police officers and a hospital security guard.
Two men tried to
reach Burton, who has gang connections, about 1am yesterday.
It is understood they entered the hospital and took an elevator to Burton's ward, but left again without incident after seeing the security officers.
On Wednesday, an intruder in the hospital threatened to kill the two officers responsible for shooting and capturing Burton.
Police are hunting an aggressive and scruffy-looking man, aged 25 to 30, who confronted hospital reception staff about 6am on Wednesday and demanded to see Burton.
When his demand was refused, he became aggressive and threatened to kill the two officers who shot Burton on Saturday.
He left in an agitated state, cursing to himself, and attacked a police car parked in the hospital grounds, smashing several windows and ripping off a side-mirror.
Though hospital staff have said they are not unhappy with security arrangements, police have asked for extra hospital security staff as well as police and Corrections officers.
"Security has been reviewed and hospital security has been increased," said Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter.
"We do not know whether the man was an associate of Burton's or a person who has a grudge against police - we don't know the motives."
Burton, who has spent 14 years in prison, has extensive criminal contacts, and is understood to have links with the Nomads, a Horowhenua gang with connections to the Auckland chapter of the Headhunters.
He had at least five security staff around him on Wednesday night.
Burton was yesterday formally arrested and charged with 23 offences, including the murder of Karl Kuchenbecker, the attempted murder of two mountain bikers, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and threatening to kill during a four-day crime spree.
He was shot by police on a mountain firebreak track behind Lower Hutt on Saturday.
At a bedside court hearing yesterday, Burton entered no plea and was remanded until February 2.
Police said he had refused to make a formal statement to them about any of the matters in the charges.
Burton is not facing charges in connection with an arsenal including guns and knives, which police found at his apartment during a raid last Thursday.
Mr Cotter said possession of illegal guns was considered secondary to the crimes involving victims.
The apartment, which is above a popular restaurant and bar in downtown Wellington, is in a block advertised as luxury living with balconies, modern appliances, modern decor and full security.
Rents in the block start at $650 a week.
Neighbours told the Herald Burton had been living there for weeks, and said he made a dramatic escape across rooftops as police closed in.
Wellington district commander Superintendent Pieri Munro would not say whether police had searched any premises for Burton before the raid.
He said Burton had been "alert" to police in central Wellington and the Hutt district. It was only after an alleged assault on a Wellington man last Wednesday that they became "more alert to him and some of his activities".
Wellington Hospital staff are understood to be unhappy about having to treat Burton, who they regard as undeserving.
But despite the two intrusions, they are understood to be satisfied with security around Burton.
Police are keeping a close watch on Burton and, when he was admitted, it is understood they left him in handcuffs, even while he was unconscious during operations including the amputation of his lower right leg.
Police officers also stayed with him during the surgery.
