Epsom rampage accused Shalty Heta to stand trial in October

The man accused of going on a violent rampage in the Auckland suburb of Epsom will go on trial in October next year.

Shalty Heta earlier pleaded not guilty to assaulting a jogger, taking a car and running down three high-school-aged cyclists, and killing a dog in August. He faced 17 charges including intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which has a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.

In the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday, Justice Mathew Downs set Heta's trial date for October next year. He said Heta faced a "suite of serious charges". Justice Downs also granted interim suppression to one of the alleged victims.

Alleged rampage in Epsom

Police had been called to reports of a serious assault at the intersection of Ranfurly Rd and Manukau Rd about 7am on 5 August. Acting Detective Inspector Craig Bolton at the time said a man had assaulted a woman without warning, causing bruising to her face, head and upper body.

Police confirmed the woman was jogging when she was assaulted by the man who was not wearing any pants, and three or four members of the public came to help her. They said the alleged offender fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, hitting several vehicles before striking three cyclists who were riding on Manukau Road.

"The offender has subjected one of the dogs to a violent assault, and sadly the dog has died at the scene," acting Detective Inspector Bolton said.

Later that day, police confirmed the dog had been strangled.

Heta will reappear before the court in February next year.