Tauranga person denied bail

A Tauranga person arrested for what police describe as a violent kidnapping will remain behind bars.

Craig Rata Pohutuhutu, 39, who is transgender, was remanded in custody after appearing in Hamilton District Court on charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, unlawful sexual connection and injuring with intent to injure.


A transgender person accused of a violent home invasion has been remanded in custody.

The charges stem from an incident in Hamilton on the weekend of March 14, where Pohutuhutu and another man, 46-year-old Claude Hamilton Edwards, are alleged to have broken into a woman's home.

They are accused of stealing a large amount of methamphetamine before beating and sexually violating her.

Pohutuhutu has pleaded guilty to charges of possession of six forged $50 notes and shoplifting a pair of $30 shoes from The Warehouse in Tauranga in November last year.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges relating to the home invasion and the remaining charges will go to a jury trial at a date yet to be set.

Edwards appeared in court earlier and has been remanded in custody to appear on May 28.

Pohutuhutu is due back in court next month after having a request to return to a Tauranga address on bail turned down by Judge Robert Spear.

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