Estate agent used screwdriver to fight off attacker

A Wairarapa real estate agent, attacked by a man posing as a potential buyer, seized a screwdriver from the boot of a car he was trying to force her into and stabbed him.

Nigel Craig Whakarau, 39, unemployed and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three charges that arose from the incident last August when he appeared in the High Court at Wellington yesterday.

Whakarau arranged a private viewing at an isolated, vacant property about 15 minutes from Carterton on August 2 last year, the police said.

Whakarau grabbed the agent as she showed him around, putting his arm around her throat and pushing her to the ground. He straddled her and squeezed her neck until she started to lose consciousness.

Whakarau took his arm away and told the woman he just wanted her money and she should stop fighting.

Using duct tape, he taped the woman's hands behind her back, taped her mouth, and left the house to move his vehicle closer.

The woman managed to get the tape off her hands and locked the door. Whakarau saw what was happening as she ran to lock another door and stopped her from closing it.

He grabbed her and pulled her outside, dragging her by her clothes and threatening her with a knife.

As he pushed her head-first into the boot, she saw a screwdriver and jemmy bar and grabbed them, swinging them behind her in his direction.

She stabbed him several times and, when he let go of her, she ran to the house and locked herself inside.

Whakarau asked her to let him in the house so he could wipe away his fingerprints. She refused. He left, telling her if she told anyone what had happened he would hurt her and her family. She then ran to a neighbour, who called the police.

Whakarau was picked up by police later that day and claimed the woman attacked him. He was charged with confining, or kidnapping, the woman, assaulting her while having a knife and robbing her while possessing an offensive instrument, which was tape. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail.

Justice Forrie Miller remanded Whakarau in custody until June 19 for sentencing, pending a pre-sentence report and two health reports.

- NZPA