Women in court over attack on 92-year-old widow

Two women have appeared in court over a brutal home invasion which left a 92-year-old Kawakawa widow in hospital.

The second arrest over the January 9 attack came on Monday afternoon.

The first to appear in the Kaikohe District Court, at 11am yesterday, was 24-year-old Bella Rina Rudolph, of Kaikohe.

She appeared by audio-visual link from Auckland Women’s Prison charged with aggravated robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Rudolph was initially arrested on Friday on six unrelated burglary charges relating to earlier incidents in Kerikeri, Oromahoe, Rawene, Kawakawa and Paihia.

The second accused, 40-year-old Carrisa Angelique Davis of Kawakawa, was also charged with aggravated robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Both were remanded in custody to reappear in the Whanga¯rei District Court on January 21.

Davis appeared in person and stared straight ahead, making no attempt to engage with the handful of people in the public gallery.

Neither woman applied for name suppression. Rudolph indicated she would apply for bail at her next appearance.

Judge McDonald declined an application by the to take photos of the accused because it was a first appearance.

However, he warned Rudolph’s lawyer that he would grant permission at her next appearance unless she could come up with “some very strong arguments”.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the home invasion, which occurred on Whangae Rd, near Kawakawa.

Earlier police said two women knocked at the 92-year-old’s door asking for petrol, then assaulted her with a weapon, searched her home and stole property.

The victim, who was injured and extremely shaken by the attack, was admitted to Bay of Islands Hospital and discharged late the following day.

She is believed to be staying with family members.