The family of murdered Ashburton mum Sina Nerisa Solomona is glad her teenage killer has pleaded guilty today and saved them from enduring a distressing murder trial.
The 16-year-old, who has name suppression, was due to stand trial for the murder and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection of the 22-year-old next month.
But he made a surprise appearance at the Timaru High Court sitting at Christchurch today to admit the charges.
The youth was 15 when he killed Ms Solomona at her Cass St home in Ashburton on December 15 last year.
He made a brief appearance in the dock to quietly utter "guilty" to both charges.