A Mount Maunganui man charged with the aggravated robbery of two French tourists has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Che Bridger, 24, appeared in the Tauranga District Court today where his lawyer Tony Balme entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
The two French tourists were allegedly beaten and robbed behind this abandoned service station.
Tony says his client plans to defend the charges due to a lack of evidence the presented by police prosecution.
Judge Louis Bidois noted the plea and remanded Bridger in custody until a defended hearing on February 4.
His co-accused, Bo-Tamati Rawiri, 26, from Ngraruwahia, has already pleaded guilty to the charges and will appear in the Tauranga District Court on December 5 for sentencing.
Rawiri and Bridger have been in voluntary custody since they were arrested following the attack on two French tourists in July.
The two French tourists were hitchhiking from Tauranga to Rotorua when they were picked up by two men in a vehicle on the afternoon of Saturday, July 7.
They were driven to an abandoned Shell service station on State Highway 2 near Welcome Bay Road in Papamoa where they were allegedly beaten and robbed.
The two 21-year-old tourists suffered minor injuries and had their packs, clothing, passports and cash and cards stolen.
The tourists continued on their New Zealand holiday following the attack.
3 comments
The third party
Posted on 29-11-2012 17:56 | By bigted
Is the property owner. This building is an eyesore on the main road to our lovely place. If it were a residential property the powers that be would have demanded that something be done to either clean up or demolish the building. Shame on you owner of the property. Otherwise is WBOPDC doing something? All the marketing dollars are wasted if this blot remains! Come on Sunlive help us to get something happening . . .
He knows the system
Posted on 29-11-2012 19:03 | By Johnney
It's not a case of pleading guilty. It's a case of the police proving he did it. Wasted space, time and resources.
Shell Papamoa site
Posted on 30-11-2012 14:59 | By Steve Morris
@bigted couldn't agree more, council won't do it because it is private land. I've just written to Z on behalf of the Papamoa Progressive Association and put a picture of it on their Facebook page. I'd urge you and others to get in contact with them too. Not the best entrance to our town!
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