Mobster shows up in court with new facial tattoo

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A Waikato Mongrel Mob member at the centre of an extensive police manhunt has appeared in court sporting a new facial tattoo.

Colin Rangi Robyn Kiriona, 25, yesterday was remanded in custody without plea after a brief appearance in the Hamilton District Court.

Kiriona faces a raft of charges in relation to a series of alleged violent sexual assaults.

The charges include two counts of rape, assault with a blunt instrument, kidnapping and aggravated wounding.

Kiriona's physical appearance yesterday in court appeared markedly different to photos of him released to the media by police.

His hair was closely cropped and he featured a large tattoo across his forehead.

The tattoo appeared to read "Mighty Mongrel Mob" and is in addition to a bulldog tattoo on Kiriona's left cheek.

The hunt for Kiriona began on July 21 after a woman told police she had escaped from a Hamilton house after being held against her will.

Police arrested Kiriona near Marton, 35 kilometres southeast of Whanganui, on Wednesday.

In court Community Magistrate Ngaire Mascelle yesterday remanded Kiriona in custody to reappear at a registrar's indictable list next month.

Ms Mascelle declined a Waikato Times application to photograph Kiriona, saying the defendant was entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Defence counsel Michael Robb said the woman's version of events had been well canvassed in the media and would be strongly disputed.

- © Fairfax NZ News