Dome Valley case: Tauranga woman one of four accused

Julie-Ann Torrance, Nicola Jones and Cameron Hakeke appear in the Auckland High Court on charges relating to a serious injured woman found dumped on the roadside in the Dome Valley. Photo / Rob Kidd

Four people accused of abducting and assaulting a woman found dumped by the side of a road in the Dome Valley can now be named, including a Tauranga woman.

Nicola Jones, a 28-year-old escort from Tauranga, has denied the charges against her along with Wayne Edward Blackett, a 39-year-old caregiver, Cameron Te Hau Kareti Tautau Hakeke, 33, and Julie-Ann Torrance, 42.

Another defendant, who has also pleaded not guilty, was granted interim name suppression by Justice Simon Moore.

They appeared in the High Court at Auckland this morning where Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey confirmed there was a warrant out for the arrest of a sixth defendant.

The group face a variety of allegations, including attempted murder, assault with a weapon, kidnapping, sexual violation and aggravated robbery.

The charges followed the discovery of a bound and gagged woman with critical head injuries on the side of a Dome Valley road on May 9.

It is understood she was taken to an address on Great North Rd against her will. While she was there she was bound foot and hand with cable ties and attacked with a hammer before she was dumped on the road.

A member of the public contacted emergency services after they discovered the woman, aged in her 20s to 30s.

Police used a photo of her distinctive rose tattoo to appeal for help to identify her.

The defendants will be back in court in August.

A trial date in February next year was set.