Pair to stand trial after car, patu ‘used in assault’

A Black Power member allegedly used a car and a patu to assault a man, court documents state.

Black Power member Albert Epere appeared before Judge John MacDonald in the Dunedin District Court yesterday morning.

He faces a range of charges, including using a patu (club) and a vehicle against a man in central Dunedin on June 28.

Witnesses said a heavily tattooed man rammed a vehicle, before using a patu against another man. Others fled the scene following the incident.

Epere, who appeared in court via audiovisual link, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Billy Cooper, who is jointly charged over the incident and faces additional charges, also pleaded not guilty.

Both men were remanded in custody for a judge-alone trial on September 28.

The men were among six Black Power members and associates arrested over two serious assaults in Dunedin in June.

The first incident, a fight between two groups of men, happened in the early hours of June 25 near Dunedin Casino.

The second happened about 9.30am on June 28 on Stafford St, where up to six members of the gang attacked two men.