Charge following Mt Roskill fire

A Mt Roskill house fire where the body of a well known woman was later found was allegedly set by the woman’s son.

Kiri Paul Patira Brackenridge, 25, will stand trial next year after pleading not guilty on Tuesday to a charge of arson, and using a document.

Brackenridge, who sometimes uses the surname Edwards, is allegedly behind the Rainford St blaze, which took hold of the Housing New Zealand unit on November 9.

The body of Linda Winifred Edwards, 58, was found at the scene.

Police last week said they were conducting further tests to establish how Edwards died.

At the Auckland District Court on Monday, Kiri Edwards made his second appearance following his arrest last week.

He appeared via audio visual link and was represented by Queen’s Counsel Marie Dyhrberg, who entered not guilty pleas on his behalf.

A jury will hear the case at a trial next year, but a trial date was not set.

Edwards was bailed to a Te Puke address and ordered not to speak about the case with anyone.

His mother’s funeral took place on Tuesday.

Linda Edwards was a well known figure in the Mt Roskill community and had previously organised a drive to donate bras to women behind bars.

The drive was very successful with more than 300 bras donated to the cause, many from Central Leader readers.

Edwards presented the bras to inmates at Wiri Prison - they were gratefully received.