Body stuffed in wheelie bin

A man who killed his adoptive brother, by almost severing his head, stuffed the body in a wheelie bin before taking a shower, a court has heard.

Pomare Mason, 44, had been knocked unconscious by his adoptive sibling, Whairiri Tamataonui Terewa, 22, after a fist fight erupted between the two. They were arguing in Matahi Valley on December 23 about ownership of a house, according to a police summary in the Whakatane District Court. As Mr Mason lay unconscious on the ground, Terewa, who has pleaded guilty to murder, used a hatchet to fracture his skull. Disturbed by the noises the injured man was making, Terewa then cut his throat and stuffed him in the wheelie bin.

Judge Peter Rollo convicted Terewa and remanded him in custody until February 17 for sentencing in the High Court at Rotorua.