Manhunt accused faces court

The man facing serious firearms charges after a manhunt in the rural Rangitikei has appeared in court.

Reon James Hodge, a 45-yearold digger driver from Hastings, entered no pleas when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.

He was arrested on Thursday after a manhunt near Ohakea in the lower North Island. The armed offenders squad and police dog units were involved in the search.

Police have charged Hodge with unlawful possession of a shotgun and ammunition, and discharging a firearm at someone with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Defence lawyer Peter Brosnahan said Hodge, whose interim name suppression lapsed on Tuesday, would not make an application for bail.

There was an address for him to go to, but police had not yet checked it, Brosnahan said.

Judge Dugald Matheson said that may have been for the best as ‘‘some water under the bridge’’ could be a good idea.

He remanded Hodge in custody until a Marton District Court date in April.