A man accused of vandalising up to 30 election signs in Pāpāmoa has denied the charges.

Philip Edwin Roberts, 44, of Ōtūmoetai pleaded not guilty to four representative charges of wilful damage in the Tauranga Registrar’s Court today.

Police earlier said 25 to 30 billboards across Pāpāmoa were damaged within two hours on September 10, and some damage was described as “significant”.

The court charging documents state the damaged election billboards belonged to four political parties – NZ First, Act, Labour and National.

Roberts also pleaded not guilty to speeding in a 50km/h zone in Taupō on September 22.

Damaged election signs in Pāpāmoa.

Defence lawyer Ned Tuck entered not guilty pleas on Roberts’ behalf.

Roberts was remanded on bail to reappear in the Tauranga District Court on January 20 for a case review hearing.

Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post and has been a journalist for more than 26 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.