Police killer's partner accused of trying smuggle drugs

The partner of the man convicted of killing police officer Derek Wootton has been accused of trying to smuggle drugs to him in prison.

Rimutaka Prison guards allegedly caught Judianne Trinnette Tito, 27, trying to pass cannabis to Andrew Popo, 33, three weeks before he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Wootton.

Mr Wootton was killed as he laid road spikes in Porirua last July 11 in an attempt to stop Popo, who was fleeing police in a stolen car.

Popo is due to reappear in the High Court at Wellington today for a sentencing date to be set.

Prison staff allegedly seized what appeared to be two capsules of cannabis oil from Tito while she visited Popo in Rimutaka Prison, Upper Hutt, on March 17, the Dominion Post reported.

She was charged with taking a prohibited substance into a prison intending to give it to a prisoner but failed to appear in Upper Hutt District Court on April 3 on that charge, and one of possessing cannabis oil for supply.

She was arrested again on April 11 and appeared in court last Wednesday on the two drugs charges, and failing to appear.

She was remanded on bail to reappear on April 28.

- NZPA