Man admits impersonating Pike River miner

File photo / NZ Herald

A West Coaster accused of impersonating a struggling out-of-work Pike River coal miner told a judge today that he is a guilty man.

Edwin Taylor, 46, is facing fraud and theft charges by claiming he was made redundant from the West Coast mine after the explosions last year which killed 29 workers.

He allegedly used a heartfelt story of losing his comrades in the disaster to gain the trust of a victim before stealing from her.

One woman from Oamaru claims she took Mr Taylor, originally from Reefton, into her North Otago home last Christmas after hearing his sob story.

But she says the alleged conman soon abused her trust and stole her $4000 station wagon and between $500 and $1000 in cash. She also says she loaned him $130.

Today the unemployed man appeared at a Christchurch District Court hearing sitting at Rangiora from custody to face the charges but did not enter a plea.

However, he told Judge Alistair Garland: "I'm all good to put guilty pleas in."

Taylor has previously pleaded guilty to two of the 11 charges he faces - one of taking a motor vehicle, and one of unlawfully converting a motor vehicle.

His solicitor Gilbert Hay said his client had not pleaded guilty to several charges because they were waiting for disclosure from the police.

The judge allowed two weeks for disclosure to be made.

Taylor was arrested on warrant in Timaru earlier this year and has been in custody since then. He will reappear on November 10.