A 33-year-old man has appeared in the Christchurch District Court on four explosives charges after an incident in Phillipstown.
Jay Harding-Rereti faces two charges of possessing handheld explosive devices, one of possessing an explosive substance, and one of possessing a large amount of ammunition.
He’s also facing two charges of possessing knives in public.
Harding-Rereti appeared fidgety and distressed as he appeared via video link today, frequently swinging on his chair and glancing around.
He has been remanded in custody without plea until Monday, when it’s expected a bail application will be made.
The incident unfolded yesterday afternoon after a suspicious package was found on a vacant property on Newcastle Street.Â
Police, Defence Force, Fire and Emergency and St John swarmed the area around after a report of suspicious items at a property, and residents were evacuated from Newcastle, Glasgow and Harrow streets as a precaution.
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