Teenager admits murdering Rotorua woman

11.45am

A Rotorua teenager has admitted murdering Tanya Burr in her Rotorua flat last year.

John Wharekura, 17, was due to stand trial in the High Court in Rotorua today for stabbing to death Ms Burr, but he entered a guilty plea instead.

About 20 people, friends and family of Miss Burr from Rotorua, Dannevirke and Palmerston North, were present in court.

No submissions were made and Wharekura was remanded in custody to appear for sentencing on June 20.

Miss Burr was stabbed to death in her Hilda Street flat in Rotorua on September 15 last year. The two did not know each other.

According to the police summary of facts, Wharekura knocked on the door of Miss Burr's flat and asked if she knew the people in an adjoining flat.

She replied that she did not and he left. He sat outside the block of flats for about 10 minutes before returning to Miss Burr's residence to ask for pen and paper to leave a message.

He then produced a knife and stabbed Miss Burr in the back, chest and abdomen.

Wharekura had offered no explanation for the attack.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson, the officer in charge of the case, said Wharekura's guilty plea was pleasing as it would prevent the family having to go through the anguish of a trial.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)