Teen admits gunpoint kidnap of Taranaki couple

One of the three teenagers arrested for the gunpoint kidnapping of a couple in Taranaki earlier this month has pleaded guilty.

Thomas Teruihi Skipper, 17, of Inglewood, pleaded guilty in New Plymouth District Court yesterday to aggravated robbery, kidnapping and theft, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

Skipper and two friends spent April 1 together at Inglewood hatching a plan to get to Auckland so one of them could avoid a court appearance the next day, police said.

They decided to lure an associate to the Inglewood cemetery where they planned to steal his car at gunpoint.

Skipper was in charge of getting a BB gun and holding up the car owner.

After the hold-up the group sped off, dumping the victims out of the vehicle.

The plan to get to Auckland only lasted until they got near Te Kuiti. The trio then turned around and drove back to New Plymouth where Skipper dumped the car.

He made a full confession to police after his arrest.

Judge Allan Roberts remanded Skipper on bail for sentence on June 5.

Skipper's co-accused both aged 18, Jerome Teumuera Edwards, unemployed of Inglewood, and Matthew Kane Tett, a gib stopper of no fixed address, continued to enter no plea when they appeared yesterday.

Edwards is facing charges of kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault with a firearm, presenting a firearm, aggravated robbery, theft, obstructing justice and burglary.

Tett faces kidnapping, aggravated robbery and theft charges. Both have been remanded to reappear in a fortnight.

- NZPA