Kiriona kept in custody

30th July 2010

A gang member caught near Marton on Wednesday was remanded in custody after facing 18 charges in court yesterday.

Colin Kiriona, 25, was arrested by Waikato detectives and armed police at a rural property near Marton about 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Police had been hunting him since the woman fled a house in Hamilton where she had allegedly been held against her will and seriously assaulted over two days last week.

Kiriona also allegedly assaulted the woman and discharged a firearm at a Ngaruawahia address about three weeks ago.

Kiriona appeared in the Hamilton District Court yesterday on 18 charges, including kidnapping, aggravated wounding, threatening to kill, assault with a blunt instrument, assault with intent to injure, and burglary.

He entered no plea and was remanded in custody until August 24.

A 19-year-old woman apprehended with Kiriona on Wednesday has not been charged.

"At this time no other person has been charged in relation to assisting this man while on the run. However, our inquiries are continuing," a police spokesman said. - NZPA