An Invercargill man charged with theft and deception relating to military medals says he will vigorously defend the 24 charges.
Owen Gough delivered a statement on the Invercargill Court House steps, saying the allegations were untrue.
Mr Gough's appearance in court was adjourned on Friday and he is due to appear again next month.
The charges were laid after the TVNZ programme Fair Go investigated Mr Gough, who describes himself as a medal conservator.
Several people say their medals went missing after they sent them to him, and others say they received replicas in place of the original medals they gave him.
