The sister of Phillip John Smith has admitted to helping the convicted murderer with his alleged escape to Brazil.
A lawyer representing Joanne Barbara Smith made an appearance on behalf of her client in Auckland District Court this morning and entered a guilty plea to a charge of helping Smith escape prison.
An earlier not guilty plea was changed on Wednesday and Smith was excused from appearing at the hearing.
Her brother, Phillip John Smith, made headlines when he escaped from Springhill Prison in November last year and fled to Brazil on a passport he acquired while incarcerated.
After being caught in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Smith was charged with escaping and obtaining a passport by supplying misleading information. He pleaded not guilty.