Rotorua supermarket scuffle accused prepared to defend charges

File photo / NZ Herald

The two women charged with assault after an alleged scuffle with Countdown Rotorua staff are preparing to defend the charges against them.

Eve Margaret Campbell, 50, unemployed, and Cherylly Juanita Campbell, aka Tapsell, 30, fruit picker, appeared before Judge Jocelyn Munro in the Rotorua District Court yesterday.

Both appeared for a status hearing.

Eve Campbell was initially charged with two counts of assault with intent to get away after committing the crime of shoplifting but the charge was downgraded to two counts of assault.

Cherylly Campbell was also initially charged with two counts of assault with intent to get away after committing the crime of shoplifting.

However, her charges were changed to two counts of assault with a weapon, a handbag, and one charge of common assault.

The alleged offending was committed at Countdown Rotorua on Fenton St on January 4.

A Rotorua man filmed the incident and uploaded the clip on to video sharing website YouTube and social networking site Facebook. The video clip went viral around the world.

Both women will reappear in court on March 7 for defended hearings.