Mother in West Auckland abuse case remanded in custody

File photo / NZ Herald

A West Auckland woman charged over the alleged abuse of her nine-year-old daughter has been further remanded in custody.

At Waitakere District Court today, the woman's lawyer Lorraine Smith said she needed more time to prepare her client's case.

Mrs Smith also asked Judge Lisa Tremewan to give the media a judicial warning about the "dramatic" way the case had been reported which, she argued, could affect the woman's right to a fair trial.

Judge Tremewan noted Mrs Smith's request, but did not give an official warning.

The accused woman, who was referred to in court as 'Mrs M' was ordered to reappear in court on March 16.

She and her husband, 32, face a total of 36 charges, ranging from assault with a weapon to cruelty and neglect charges.

Her husband entered not guilty pleas on January 13.

The couple were arrested after the girl was found hiding in a wardrobe in December with injuries to nearly every part of her body. She was starving, dehydrated and anaemic from internal bleeding.

The girl has since been placed with a foster family.

- With NZPA