A community magistrate was left unimpressed after a former international sports star failed to turn up to court to face a charge of obstructing police.

“Where’s the defendant and where’s counsel?” community magistrate Sherida Cooper asked out loud in the Hamilton District Court today, when the former sports star’s case was called.

The man, in his 30s, is facing a charge of obstructing police as officers tried to deal with another matter in Hamilton during the early hours of Sunday, March 15.

The man was understood to have attended the Homegrown music festival on Saturday, March 14.

However, when his case was called in the Hamilton District Court today, the community magistrate was unimpressed that neither the defendant nor his counsel, Matthew Smit, were in court.

After asking where they both were, a duty lawyer stood up and said he understood a plea by notice had been filed with the court.

Cooper said she’d received an affidavit confirming the defendant’s not guilty plea but she appeared unimpressed there was no one in court.

“I want to know why the defendant is not here,” she said before standing the matter down, to allow either the defendant or counsel to appear via audio visual link.

A short time later, Smit appeared via AVL, and explained that both he and the defendant were not based in the Waikato and he’d hoped to have his client’s appearance excused.

He also confirmed his client pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Cooper was satisfied with that response but told him that his client would have to appear next time.

She remanded the accused on strict bail conditions including not to drink alcohol, to submit to a passive breath test by a constable when asked, not to enter the Hamilton CBD nor any licensed premise after 8pm.

The first Hamilton Homegrown was a success, organisers said. Photo / Rakhal Heijtel

She also continued his interim name suppression but told Smit that if he wanted permanent suppression, he should file the required paperwork with the court.

He was remanded on bail, on the charge of intentionally obstructing a police constable acting in the execution of his duty, to appear in court again in August.

The charge he faces carries a maximum penalty of three months’ imprisonment and a $2000 fine.

Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato. She has worked at NZME for 11 years and has been a journalist for 22.