Axe attack on Parliament Buildings

The man arrested for allegedly damaging an entranceway at Wellington’s Parliament Buildings with an axe has appeared in court. The 31-year-old, whowas granted interim name suppression, appeared before Judge Bill Hastings for a bail hearing in a rarely used secure room at the Wellington District Court because of his mental state. Hewas charged with possession of an offensive weapon, intentional damage and resisting a police officer. He faced a separate charge of intentional damage over an incident at a petrol station in Rotorua in December. The manwas remanded in custody for amental health assessment. Once an assessment is made he will be bailed to amental health unit. He will reappear at the Wellington District Court on January 28. Policewere called about 5.25am onwednesday after several glass doors and panels on Parliament grounds were smashed. The manwas taken into custody a short time later. He did not get inside the buildings.