KEY POINTS:
Three young Te Puke women intent on burglary armed themselves with large kitchen knives and used bandanna-type scarves for disguise, Tauranga District Court was told today.
The trio, in their 20s, set out to raid the address of a man they believed had had sex with a 16-year-old associate of theirs. They intended to ensure he did not see the girl again, Judge Peter Rollo heard.
A pregnant Romona Zelda Thomas, 28, unemployed, pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary and one of burglary.
The first count carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and the second 10 years.
Lawyer Craig Tuck represented Thomas who was remanded on bail until May 22 for sentencing.
Judge Rollo said he was allowing bail because of her health issues and the fact she had "turned up to face the music".
Her co-offenders, a 23-year-old solo mother and an unemployed 20-year-old, failed to appear and warrants are out for their arrest.
Sergeant Wayne Hunter, prosecuting for police, said the three decided last December 5 to burgle the man's house to scare him. About 1am they parked their car next door to his Te Puke address. One woman climbed in through a bathroom window and opened the door for the other two.
While Thomas and one associate were attempting to take a stereo, the third offender placed the blade of a knife on the neck of the victim who was asleep on the lounge couch.
He woke up, grabbed the blade and wrestled with his attacker, disarming her and holding her by the ankle.
On hearing the commotion, Thomas' other associate turned on the light and removed the bandanna from her face. The victim then realised he knew the defendants and let them go. Meanwhile, a flatmate had called the police.
When officers spoke to them later, Thomas and one co-accused claimed they did not know the third woman was going to put a knife to the man's throat.
Mr Hunter said the same woman was with Thomas about 2pm on November 28 when they went to an unoccupied Te Puke house. Thomas climbed on top of her associate's shoulders to get in through a window.
Inside, the pair took a laptop computer and accessories, a cellphone and $60 cash, putting them all in a backpack.
They gave the stolen goods, worth a total of $1700, to an associate to "fence", the prosecutor said.
- NZPA
