Man charged with poisoning trees

 A man accused of poisoning pine trees appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday.

Andrew Robert Pender (54), of Tuatapere, entered no plea to a charge of intentional damage of pine trees, the property of the Southland District Council, in Tuatapere from August 1 to October 31 last year.

The charge has a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.

The court registrar was advised Pender would be applying for legal aid. Pender was remanded to appear on March 21.

— PIJF court reporter Karen Pasco