Men charged with attempted murder

Two Wanaka men have been charged with attempted murder as police continue investigating an incident that left a father-oftwo in hospital.

The men, who have interim name suppression and are aged in their 30s, were arrested shortly after the incident on May 9 at 3.15am and have been held in custody on assault charges.

They appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday, jointly charged with the attempted murder of Kahu Vincent.

Both defendants were also charged with assaulting another man to avoid detection, as well as stealing a slushy and other food items from the Wanaka Night ’n Day.

The 39-year-old also faces two charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice by contacting police purporting to be a lawyer and family member of his 34-yearold co-accused, and also telling a third party not to talk to police or ‘‘I will find you and kill you’’.

The pair were remanded in custody to reappear in the Christchurch High Court via audiovisual link from Invercargill on June 9.

The 34-year-old is also charged with three assault offences relating to alleged incidents between January 1 and December 1 last year. He was remanded on those charges to reappear in the Invercargill District Court on June 12.

Detective Sergeant Colin Blackie said Wanaka police were still investigating the Night ’n Day incident.

‘‘As a result of this investiga- tion so far, and with the assistance of an ESR scientist, additional charges have been filed against the two men, including one of attempted murder.’’

Vincent remains in a critical condition in Dunedin Hospital.

‘‘Police would like to thank the Wanaka community for the support they have received . . . and urge anyone who still has information to contact police.’’

Anyone with information can contact Wanaka police on (03) 443 7272, or information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.