Women admit organised crime

Two women have admitted being involved in an organised crime ring involved in burgling 65 Christchurch homes.

Janelle Christina Te Puia, 33, and Jasmine Susan Northe, 33, of Bryndwr, had denied charges of participating in an organised criminal group when the trial began on Monday before Judge Tom Gilbert and a Christchurch District Court jury.

They pleaded guilty while the trial was delayed for two hours yesterday morning. It was the third day because the trial did not sit on Tuesday.

Still on trial is Robert William Northe, who has been charged with burgling 65 houses in Bryndwr, Jasmine Northe, left, and Janelle Te Puia yesterday admitted their part in an organised crime group involved in 65 burglaries.

Ilam, and Burnside. The Crown alleges he ransacked the homes and stole jewellery, electronics, and cash. The 32-year-old concrete worker from Bryndwr, faces 62 charges of burglary and a charge of being a member of an organised criminal group.

He denies those charges but he pleaded guilty to five charges as

the trial began – three of the burglaries, unlawful possession of tools for burglary and a small amount of cannabis.

When the jury returned to the court yesterday, Judge Gilbert told them the women had pleaded guilty to the charges they faced of participating in an organised criminal group with three other people, including Robert Northe.

‘‘You no longer need to consider them. Your focus now will be on Mr Northe. I want to make it very clear at this point that individuals are entitled to plead guilty, and whether or not they do so is entirely their prerogative.

‘‘The fact that Miss Northe and Miss Te Puia have pleaded guilty this morning is not to be imputed to Robert Northe. You are to continue to assess the evidence as it unfolds . . . and you are to assess that evidence against the standard of proof of beyond reasonable doubt.

‘‘He is entitled to continue and nothing changes in that regard,’’ Judge Gilbert said.

The Crown began the trial planning to call evidence from more than 100 witnesses.

The women were remanded on bail to November 26 for sentencing. Probation reports will consider their suitability for home detention sentences, and defence counsel Jeff McCall said he would seek to have a report on Jasmine Northe’s cultural background prepared for the sentencing.

Te Puia is Robert Northe’s partner, and Jasmine Northe is his sister.