Christel Yardley/Stuff
Reports of a shooting took police to Waghorn Road in Wardville in the early morning of June 21.
A man has pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing grievous bodily harm in connection with an alleged shooting near Matamata.
Wade Lawrence Cresswell, 32, of Wardville, opted for a jury trial on Wednesday when he made his plea in Hamilton district court.
He also admitted three charges: wrongful possession of a rifle, wrongful possession of a handgun and wrongful possession of .22 caliber ammunition.
The charges of grievous bodily harm carried a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
Christel Yardley/Stuff
One person was found with a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital in serious condition, police said at the time.
Cresswell was remanded in custody on August 25 for a hearing on the crown case.
Police were called to the incident on Waghorn Rd in Wardville, near Matamata, just after 1.35am on June 21.
Officers for the armed offenders were on the scene throughout the day and Inspector Dean Anderson, commander of the East Waikato area, confirmed that one person had suffered a gunshot wound.
“A man was found a short distance from a rural home with a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital in serious condition,” he said in a statement on the day.
“There are indications that the incident was not gang-related and that the persons were known to each other.”
Police thanked locals for their help and said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.