Kidnap accused has name suppression lifted

Police are still seeking this woman in relation to the attack. CCTV image / Suppllied

A woman charged with kidnapping and robbing an 82-year-old woman in south Auckland last month has had her name suppression lifted, but will remain in custody until her next appearance.

Tessa Kereopa, 26, was given name suppression when she last appeared in the Auckland District Court on December 24 so she could tell her family of the charges, her lawyer David Niven told the court.

Judge Emma Aitken lifted the order today, but specified that no images of Kereopa should be published, as identity could be an issue.

Kereopa spent Christmas and New Year in jail, along with her co-accused, Pamela Renata, 24. The pair are both charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping. Kereopa will appear again on February 4 for a plea inquiry hearing, while Renata will appear again on January 14.

The two women were arrested after publicity about the kidnapping and robbery of the 82-year-old woman, who was driven around in the back of her own car before she was allegedly robbed of more than $1000 on December 18.

The two woman were arrested at a house in south Auckland after police executed a search warrant.

A third woman still being sought by police was described as "quite large", about 1.7m tall, wearing dark jeans and a dark green or black t-shirt with a logo on the front.

- NZPA