Napier 'P lab' case draws crowds

Hastings, March 30 - Napier District Court has been cleared for a week to make room for a massive depositions hearing for 13 people accused of contributing to an alleged "P lab" discovered in Tamatea.

The house, which has since been demolished, was bugged by police and put under video surveillance during Operation Attic late last year.

Three of the 13 accused, Delores Angela Kingi, Joanna Marina Te Rure and Joanne Te Rure, conceded there was a prima facie case to answer on the first day of evidence, and were remanded to appear in the High Court on May 10.

The remaining accused are Craig Paul Bryan, Craig Gregory Otter, Brian Perry, Gregory Oscar Olsen, Paul Anthony Smith, Regina Waiata Smith, John Miller, Jason Thomas Scully, Donna Marise Wilson and Richard John Te Rure.

The Napier court was rearranged to accommodate the 13 defendants, who were seated in the dock and across the rear lawyers' benches.

All face charges relating to the manufacture of methamphetamine or supplying the ingredients, but Wilson and Richard Te Rure also face charges of wilfully ill-treating four children who were in their care at the address, "in a manner likely to cause injury to their health".

Crown prosecutor Clayton Walker said the lounge of the house which was used to manufacture methamphetamine, also served as a bedroom for Wilson and Te Rure.

He said two police searches of the property, made with the help of ESR scientists, recovered a large number of items relating to the manufacture of P.

Police intercepted phone calls and text messages and gathered hours of surveillance tape.

The court was told yesterday that recorded conversations between members of the group and others included discussions on breaking lightbulbs "whenever you use them" and the ability of the police to trace text messages.

At one point in a recording, a male voice was heard to say "I only touch the best. I've always been known for the best".

The court was to continue hearing evidence today.

- NZPA