Accused charges out of dock at victim’s family

Police cordoned off an area around McLaren Falls where Mitchell Paterson's body was found

A Hamilton courtroom erupted into chaos as a defendant attempted to charge at the family of a man he allegedly had a hand in killing.

Leon Colin Wilson, 49, is one of six people allegedly involved in the death of Ngāruawāhia man Mitchell Paterson, whose body was found dumped at McLaren Falls.

Wilson, who is charged with manslaughter, kidnapping conspiring to defeat the course of justice, took exception to the presence of a relative of Paterson who was in the public gallery in the courtroom in Hamilton on Tuesday morning.

"Sieg f...ing heil," said Wilson just before he charged out of the dock towards the public gallery.

"Laugh at me? I'll have the last laugh."

Corrections officers, court security staff and a police detective all managed to intercept Wilson and, firmly secured in their grasp, he was marched backwards out of the courtroom and down to the courthouse cells.

The drama happened just before a scheduled High Court callover for Wilson and his co-accused in the Hamilton District Court. The callover, before Justice Sarah Katz, continued in his absence.

Simon Peter Walker, 36, and Christopher Ramia Smith, 34, are both charged with murdering Paterson.

For Smith, the charge is a fresh one. He was previously charged with the manslaughter of Paterson.

Smith also faces charges of kidnapping and conspiring to defeat the course of justice. Walker's other charges are kidnapping, conspiring to defeat the course of justice, and interfering with human remains.

Paterson, a 26-year-old father of one, was found dead in the water beneath McLaren Falls bridge in the lower Kaimai Ranges, near Tauranga, on July 13.

Police say he died of injuries inflicted in an assault.

Also appearing in the same court on Tuesday morning were others allegedly involved in Paterson's death.

Grant Stewart Wickens, 33, is charged with manslaughter, kidnapping and conspiring to defeat justice.

James Lee Green, 27, is charged with conspiring to defeat the course of justice, interfering with human remains and driving while disqualified.

Kyra Betteridge, 29, is charged with conspiring to defeat the course of justice and interfering with human remains.

All were remanded to their trial date of July 1. Walker and Wickens are in custody and appeared in court via audio-visual link.

Wilson's counsel is Kerry Tustin. Green is represented by Sheila Cameron. Wickens has Charles Bean as his counsel, while Smith's lawyer is Mike McIvor. David Allan is representing Wilson.

The case will be called again on February 26.

-Stuff/Mike Mather.

You may also like....

2 comments

Life Imprisonment

Posted on 20-11-2018 18:44 | By Hugh Janis

Leon Colin Wilson was jailed for life in 1996 after stabbing his former partner 28 times. He had tattooed 'Property of Leon' on her face during the relationship. This man should be dropped in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and told to swim.


An eye for an eye...

Posted on 21-11-2018 10:24 | By clingon

There won't be much laughing after that...


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.