Waikeria inmate charged over New Year riot, fire

AUCKLAND: An inmate accused of instigating a fiery uprising at Waikeria prison has been charged.

Seventeen men are accused of deliberately starting the fire that extensively damaged the Waikato jail.

The charge carries a maximum 14year jail term.

The riot consumed the prison's highsecurity complex from December 29 to January 3.

Taimana Soames (25) appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday afternoon, charged with being a member of a riot and unlawfully damaging prison property.

He was also accused of being in a group jointly using violence. That charge carries a twoyear maximum jail term.

Soames and other alleged rioters were also charged with entering part of the jail facility illegally and using a steel pole, wooden seat and ``specialised breaching tool'' as weapons.

Community Magistrate Lavinia Nathan described that charge as ``aggravated burglary’’.

Soames faced a fourth charge, along with other alleged rioters, of deliberately starting the fire. Bail was declined.

Soames entered no pleas and was remanded in custody to February 5.

He will then appear in the Hamilton District Court.

The riot was the biggest in New Zealand for decades and the destruction of Waikeria's highsecurity complex required more than 200 inmates to be moved to other prisons.

On January 3, the unruly prisoners surrendered and received food, water and access to medical staff.

At least one other of the accused men was due to appear in the Auckland District Court and it was understood the other accused men would appear in the Hamilton District Court next week. — The New Zealand Herald