KEY POINTS:
Two Westport men who allegedly caused about $30,000 worth of damage at Stockton mine were further remanded when they appeared in Westport District Court yesterday.
The pair allegedly cut the main power supply to the mine, causing it to lose about 4000 tonnes of production.
Ashley McLeod, 23, and Benjamin Garing, labourer, 22, were jointly charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, a Komatsu digger worth $100,000 belonging to Geotech Limited, and intentionally damaging power lines between June 26 and 27.
Neither entered a plea to the charges.
Judge Noel Walsh remanded them to August 13 for a pre-depositions hearing.
Defence counsel Doug Taffs asked for the men's curfews to be lifted due to the lengthy delay of the case coming to trial.
"It could be well into next year before it comes to trial," he said.
Judge Walsh replaced the curfew with a reporting clause, requiring the men to report to the Westport police station at set times. They were also remanded to August 14 on charges of breaching community work.
- NZPA
