Interim suppression has been granted on the grounds of “potential extreme hardship” to a man accused of the arson of St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church in Bishopdale.
The man was arrested on Sunday – the day of the early morning fire at the church – and appeared before Judge Tom Gilbert in the Christchurch District Court today.
Defence counsel Richard McGuire said there was no application for the 35-year-old to be released on bail, and asked for him to be remanded in custody for an appearance by video-link on May 30. No pleas were entered.
Mr McGuire asked for an interim suppression order because of uncertainty raised in a letter provided by the forensic psychiatric nurse who works at the Court House.
Judge Gilbert granted the order “on the basis of potential extreme hardship”, since there was an arguable case made out with the material in the nurse’s letter.
The man, described as a technician, faces charges of burgling buildings in Farrington Avenue on May 7 to 8, and again on May 15. He is charged with arson of the church in Farrington Avenue on May 15.
He also faces earlier charges of theft of a motor vehicle, shoplifting, and possession of a knife in a public place, as well as failing to answer bail.
Bail was opposed by the police, but the court was told they were “neutral” about the suppression application.
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