Kaimai death: pair remanded

Two Tauranga people charged after a string of events including the death of an 18-year-old Tauranga teenager in the lower Kaimais will remain behind bars.

Thomas Kevin McDonald, 30, and Cheyanne McCausland, 23, appeared in Tauranga District Court this morning where they were further remanded in custody until June 18.

Cheyanne McCausland and Thomas Kevin McDonald in Tauranga District Court today.

McDonald is charged with assault on a female, wilful damage, kidnapping, injuring with intent to injure, aggravated robbery and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

McCausland is charged with kidnapping, injuring with intent to injure, aggravated robbery, and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

The pair were arrested in South Auckland on April 3 allegedly in possession of a stolen vehicle that police say was used in a crime spree that involved kidnapping, aggravated robbery and the dumping of a teen's body outside Matamata Hospital.

Tauranga teen Jovaan Graham died immediately after being struck by a Toyota Prado on State Highway 29 around 3am on April 3.

The driver of the Toyota was travelling along SH29 in the lower Kaimais when he struck Jovaan.

Police say when the man pulled over to see what had happened he was assaulted by McDonald and McCausland and pulled back into his own vehicle.

At the scene police found a Nissan Wingroad stationwagon stolen from Tauranga Hospital the day before. Police believe it had broken down or run out of petrol stranding the three on the highway.

The driver of the Toyota later escaped from his vehicle when it stopped while travelling towards Hamilton and managed to raise the alarm. He was taken to Tauranga Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

Police say McDonald and McCaulsand dropped Jovaan's body outside Pohlen Hospital where security staff found it around 4am.

The Toyota Prado was later located in Papakura, where McDonald and McCausland were arrested.

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