Man admits killing five-year-old, but denies sex charges

A Napier man who has admitted the manslaughter of a five-year-old girl denies sexually violating her. File photo / NZ Herald

A Napier man has admitted the manslaughter of a five-year-old girl but denies sexually violating her.

Kerry Ratana, 25, pleaded guilty to and was convicted of the manslaughter of Sahara Jayde Baker-Koro when he appeared in Napier District Court today.

However, he pleaded not guilty to sexually violating her and was remanded in custody to a later date for trial on that charge.

Sahara's body was found in her bed by her family in a house in Riverbend Rd, Onekawa, on December 21.

- NZPA