5 Jan 2005

Man held in custody after court appearance in Solomons over peacekeeper's death

11:33 am on 5 January 2005

A man charged with the murder in Solomon Islands of Australian Peacekeeper, Adam Dunning, has been remanded in custody to appear again later this month.

The magistrate's court session was held within the walls of the prison in Honiara for security reasons.

John Hen Ome, 31, is charged with the murder of Officer Dunning and the attempted murder of his patrol partner in Honiara just before Christmas.

Dorothy Wickham has more from Honiara:

"During the court hearing, the defence lawyer asked for an adjournment, seeking more time to have papers and witnesses prepared. She was granted an adjournment until the eighteenth of January, when john ome, who has been charged with murder and attempted murder, will reappear before the Magistrates' Court."

Police are still seeking his associate, James Tatau, for questioning over the murder.

Tatau is also wanted over another shooting incident in October involving two officers of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.