Three teens appear on murder charge

Three teenagers charged with the murder of 74-year-old Donald Alfred Stewart in Hamilton last month appeared in Hamilton Youth Court today.

A 17-year-old boy was remanded in custody until July 14, while two others, aged 14 and 15, were remanded in the care of Child Youth and Family until the same date, the Waikato Times reported today.

Mr Stewart, of Wellington, was found dead with head injuries near a public toilet on London St in the central city on June 27.

His Peugeot car was later found at an Auckland wrecker's yard and a forensic examination carried out.

Mr Stewart was captured on security footage filling his car with petrol in Hamilton the night before he was found dead, and the car was seen early the next day in a ditch in the city.

But when police went to recover the vehicle the following day, it had been removed.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene said today that sightings of the car provided significant information.

He said while police were pleased with the arrests, the investigation was ongoing and they were still following a number of lines of Inquiry.

Police would still like to hear from a good samaritan who gave a group of people a ride into town from Collins Rd, on the outskirts of Hamilton, shortly before 7am on June 27.

Mr Stewart died from a blow to the head but no weapon has been found.

- NZPA