Teen admits robbery, gun charges

A teenager has had an attempted murder charge against him dropped after a patron was shot during the armed of a robbery of a Christchurch tavern.

Ryan Randall Vlietstra, unemployed, of Beckenham, Christchurch, pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today to robbery while armed with a firearm, firing a sawn-off rifle so as to endanger a man, and unlawful possession of a firearm, the Christchurch Court News website reported.

Charges of attempted murder, assaulting a woman with intent to rob her, and having a firearm while he committed an assault with intent to rob were withdrawn.

Police said a man was injured when Vlietstra's gun went off as patrons wrestled with him during the robbery of the Glenbyre Tavern in suburb Bromley at closing time on July 7.

He was detained until the arrival of police

Judge Emma Smith remanded Vlietstra in custody for sentencing on October 29, and ordered a pre-sentence report and a report on his suitability for home detention.

- NZPA