Turangi attack accused to plead guilty

TURANGI CAMPGROUND: Scene of the attack.

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The 16-year-old boy charged with raping and injuring a 5-year-old before Christmas at a Turangi campground has indicated he will admit the charges.

At the boy's appearance in the Taupo Youth Court today his youth advocate and lawyer Katherine Ewen indicated to Judge Munro the boy would not defend charges of rape, burglary and grievous bodily harm via sexual violation.

More than a dozen friends and family sat in the public gallery in support of the teenager, who cannot be named because of his age.

The 16-year-old's mother read a karakia prepared by the accused in which he asked God to forgive him.

He and his whanau will attend a family group conference at the weekend and will reappear before the court next week.

- © Fairfax NZ News