Stabbing death: Victim's family disgusted over bail decision

Nathan Mata Pukeroa died after being attacked outside a Renton Rd, Mt Albert address in the early hours of Thursday, December 3. Photo / Supplied

A man accused of stabbing his neighbour to death has been granted electronically-monitored bail, to the disgust of the victim's family.

Dustin Michael La Mont, 25, appeared in the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday where his name suppression lapsed.

He is accused of the murder of 24-year-old Whangarei man Nathan Matai Pukeroa in Mt Albert last month.

There were dramatic scenes at that hearing when a woman dashed from the public gallery into the body of the court screaming obscenities.

She was dragged away by security while the defendant was briefly pulled back into the cells.

This morning's bail hearing was also punctuated by an impassioned outburst, this time by the victim's father.

When Justice Susan Thomas granted the defendant bail, he stood up and shouted across the courtroom.

"He took my son out for nothing," he said. "He's a f***ing dog."

Justice Thomas suppressed terms of La Mont's bail, including the area, address and names of those at the property.

Electronically-monitored bail requires a defendant to remain at an approved address at all times and be monitored by Corrections for up to 24 hours a day.

For an application to be granted, a judge must be satisfied that the public, witnesses, victims and the people who will share the address are safe from the defendant.

On Wednesday, La Mont's lawyer David Hoskin entered not guilty pleas to the murder
charge and one of wounding Devaray-Junior Heremia with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

The alleged attacks took place in Renton Rd in Mt Albert on December 2 but it was not until eight days later that La Mont appeared in court.

Police made several appeals for information and asked neighbours to check their properties for weapons.

La Mont's trial was set for October and he will have another hearing in March.