One of two men who have appeared in the Auckland District Court charged with assaulting a taxi driver in Auckland has pleaded not guilty.
Casey James Owen, 21, from Rotorua, and Alan Paterson, 22, from Auckland appeared in court on Friday jointly charged with assault.
The driver, Jarnail Sandhu, claims he was racially mocked, attacked and had his turban taken on 11 April when his passengers refused to pay their fare.
Mr Paterson has pleaded not guilty and is due to re-appear in the Auckland District Court in June for a status hearing.
Mr Owen, who entered no plea, will reappear next month.
