Three men jointly charged with kidnapping and aggravated robbery in Invercargill last month, will defend the charges and have been granted electronically monitored bail. 

John Kenneth Butler (36), Brendon Kaea (39) and Nathan Arama Mitchell Rerekura (31) appeared in the Invercargill District Court today via audio visual link. 

They are each facing five joint charges of kidnapping, assault, possession of a pistol without lawful use, burglary, and assaulting a man using a pistol at an address on Regent Street, on November 19.

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A fourth man – Miharo Papa (36) – who is jointly charged with the three men, was denied bail last week. 

Papa has pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until February 15, 2021. He has elected a trial by jury.

Butler, Rerekura, and Kaea have pleaded not guilty to all charges and were remanded on bail until February 22, 2021. They have also elected trial by jury.