A man who allegedly stole life-saving medicine from a Dunedin rescue helicopter has been found fit to plead to the charges he faces.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old, who still has interim name suppression, appeared in the Dunedin District Court today.<\/p>\n
He faces a raft of charges, including six burglaries, after a spree of offending in January.<\/p>\n
The self-represented defendant had gone through four lawyers since the charges were laid.<\/p>\n
After the man refused to engage with multiple doctors for the purpose of a mental health assessment, Judge Hermann Retzlaff found the defendant fit to plead to the charges and stand trial.<\/p>\n
The judge entered not-guilty pleas to each of the charges and remanded the defendant in custody to appear again in January.<\/p>\n
Court documents said the man was alleged to have burgled the Taieri Airport yard incident, 2 Degrees in George St and another Dunedin address on January 12.<\/p>\n
On that day he allegedly unlawfully took a vehicle and was also charged with stealing $810 of gear from Rebel Sports Dunedin on January 7 as well as unlawfully taking a Queenstown Cleaners Ltd van on January 10.<\/p>\n
He is also accused of dishonestly taking a cleaning company\u2019s Mazda van on New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n
On January 16, the day of the defendant\u2019s original arrest, he is accused of failing to supply identifying details to police and resisting a constable.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Helicopters Otago chief executive Graeme Gale said he was “absolutely thrilled” about the quick arrest.<\/p>\n
He had earlier offered a $10,000 reward following the incident but acknowledged it might not have been a factor in the arrest.<\/p>\n