Girl, 15, in court over sister's murder

A 15-year-old Northland girl charged with the murder of her sister has been remanded in custody.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the Whangarei District Youth Court today charged with murder.

Judge David McNaughton remanded the girl in custody until January 21 and called for a number of reports on the girl under the Child, Youth and Family and Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Acts.

Defence lawyer Lucy Postlewaight did not make an application for bail.

The girl was initially charged with the assault of her 30-year-old sister after the woman died after being stabbed at a house in Ruakaka, 30km south of Whangarei, about 9.30pm on New Year's Eve. The charge was subsequently upgraded to murder.

- NZPA