Further arson charges

Whangarei: A Northland man facing 10 arson charges related to the destruction of conservation land and a forest in the Kaipara area has been charged over six more fires.

Andrew Lee Searle, who celebrated his 21st birthday while in jail on remand, appeared by video link last week before Judge John MacDonald in the Whangarei District Court and now faces a total of 16 charges.

Searle was remanded in custody until the next hearing on September 27. — NZME