Man could face preventive detention for week-long crime spree

William John Murphy appeared in court via audio-visual link. File photo

A man faces a term of preventive detention after a string of aggravated robberies targeting elderly women.

William John Murphy, 38, appeared in Auckland District Court via audio-visual link today before Judge Christopher Field.

Police say he carried out a week-long crime spree in June 2013 in which he allegedly targeted three elderly women.

Crown prosecutor Luke Clancy told the court today that Murphy's case must be transferred to the High Court for sentencing because preventive detention may be the appropriate outcome for him.

A report delivered to the court showed Murphy had "a high risk of re-offending and a high risk of causing harm to others".

Mr Clancy said in 2007, Murphy was described as "on the knife-edge" of receiving a sentence of preventive detention for indecent assault and burglary.

Murphy's lawyer argued that while preventive detention had been a possible outcome previously for Murphy, the current charges he will be sentenced on were less serious.

Judge Field said it was appropriate to transfer the case to the High Court so preventive detention can be canvassed.

He will be sentenced on October 2.

Police in 2013 charged Murphy over a crime spree between June 17 and 24.

In the first incident, police said he stole a Honda Prelude from a Remuera address and robbed its owner of $580 cash, a phone and a pair of white socks.

Three days later, police said Murphy unlawfully detained a 79-year-old woman in her Westmere home before stealing two of her credit cards and $130 cash.

Then, two days later, police said Murphy detained a 74-year-old Pakuranga woman and subjected her to an indecent assault before threatening her with a knife as he robbed her of $284, a credit card and a pair of green bed socks.

Murphy was caught after allegedly stealing a woman's handbag near Puhoi, fleeing police and crashing the car stolen from Remuera before taking off on foot.