Dotcom's bodyguard in court

GRAHAME COX/Fairfax NZ

THE BODYGUARD: Kim Dotcom's bodyguard Wayne Tempero outside the North Shore District Court.

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Kim Dotcom's bodyguard has appeared in court today on firearms charges.

Wayne Tempero's North Shore District Court appearance follows the raid on Dotcom's Coatesville mansion and subsequent arrest last week.

Tempero faces one charge of unlawfully possessing a semi-automatic shotgun.

He did not enter a plea but through a duty solicitor opposed a media application to photograph him in court.

Tempero was remanded on bail until next month.

It's understood he will continue to reside at the Dotcom mansion.

Outside court before his appearance, Tempero said he had worked for Dotcom for more than two years.

He said he would "of course" fight any charges.

He said he had been charged with possession of restricted firearms that were bought outside of New Zealand and had been modified.

He denied this and says his two shotguns were bought in New Zealand.

"I bought them in Auckland, they are legal and were bought with a legal licence."

He said he would speak about what happened when police raided the Dotcom mansion once the case had been through he courts.

"I think the New Zealand public needs to know. That will come out."

He would not comment on his time working for Dotcom.

He said "no-one" had spoken with Dotcom since his arrest.

Internet piracy-accused Dotcom was returned to jail yesterday after a the court denied him bail. He is appealing the decision ahead of attempts by American authorities to extradite him.

They allege his company breached copyright laws costing copyright owners more than US$500m in what they call the "Mega Conspiracy".

- © Fairfax NZ News