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A Mongrel Mob member accused of murdering his partner sent text messages to a gang associate asking for help, Porirua District Court has been told.
Duff, 35, is accused of beating Bronwyn Aroha Whakaneke, 33, with a scaffolding pipe before dumping her outside the mob headquarters in the Porirua suburb of Waitangirua.
Ms Whakaneke, who had been with Duff for the past eight years, was found dead on January 8.
Duff has so far entered no plea and was appearing at a depositions hearing yesterday to determine if he will face trial, The Dominion Post reported.
The court was shown phone records of text messages allegedly sent between Duff and another Mongrel Mob member after Ms Whakaneke's death.
"...Dog, can you come to the pad? My Mrs is dead."
Later, from the police station he texted again.
"Dog, I'm looking at a lot of jail now."
Then later: "Dog, I'm sorry I just f..... up big time."
Police prosecutor Claire Boshier told the court Duff and Ms Whakaneke had been arguing before she was killed.
Ms Boshier said Duff had told police he attacked his partner after she punched him in the face while he tried to sleep.
- NZPA