New date set for P-accused couple’s trial by jury

More than two years on from the arrest of a couple accused of dealing methamphetamine, the Crown is growing frustrated with the number of delays to the case.

Co-accused Dion James Hunt and Ada Sharon Pue were due to defend a number of charges relating to the class-A drug in a trial by jury set down for August.

That date has now been pushed out to April 2020.

But in a callover hearing yesterday at New Plymouth District Court the defence called for a further hearing before trial.

The defence believed there were issues surrounding disclosure and wanted time to discuss matters with the prosecutor in charge of the case, it was heard.

But Crown solicitor Cherie Clarke said full disclosure had been made, nothing was outstanding and the matter was ready for trial. ‘‘We’re ready to proceed.’’

Hunt and Pue, both in their 50s, were arrested after a police raid of several Taranaki properties in July, 2017. A substantial amount of cash and more than 20 grams of methamphetamine were seized during the search.

At a hearing in August 2017, the pair both entered not guilty pleas to conspiring to sell methamphetamine, supplying methamphetamine, possession for supply and production of methamphetamine. A jury trial was elected.

Judge Phillip Cooper granted bail to continue and ordered the couple reappear in court for their trial on April 28.

Meanwhile, Anthony Joel Heke also appeared in court, via audio visual link. He was arrested in connection with the shooting of a 20-year-old man on Plympton St, in New Plymouth on March 30.

Lawyer Paul Keegan asked that Heke, in his early 20s, be further remanded in custody.

He will return to court via AVL on January 28.