A man who has confessed to assaulting and robbing two French hitchhikers in Papamoa last year has denied fabricating evidence against an associate after cutting a deal with police.
Bo-Tamati Rawiri, 26, from Ngaruawahia yesterday gave evidence against Che Teraumate Bridger, 25, of Mount Maunganui, whose trial began in Tauranga District Court yesterday.
Bridger has denied two counts of aggravated robbery.
The charges stem from a Crown allegation that Bridger together with Rawiri robbed two 21-year-old Frenchmen hitchhiking from Tauranga to Rotorua on July 7 last year.
Rawiri said on the day of the robbery he had driven from Ngaruawahia to an Arataki address, where he met up with Bridger, and they headed to a local tavern.
Bridger was driving his mother's silver Honda.
After leaving the pub they headed to Papamoa, and along the way picked up the two complainants near Papamoa Domain Rd.
With the tourists in the back seat they drove to the former Shell service station on State Highway 2, near Welcome Bay turn-off, and Bridger parked behind the station where the robbery took place.
The tourists, who were robbed of their passports, cash and other property, sutstained minor injuries.
Rawiri claimed Bridger was the instigator of the robbery - Bridger denied being there.
"Che immediately started grabbing stuff off the passenger seated behind him. He was trying to grab the travel bag from around his neck, and his friend got out of the car and tried to stop him grabbing stuff off his mate," he said. "That is when I intervened and tried to stop Che, yelling at him to stop, stop."
Rawiri does not deny that he then joined in grabbing stuff from the second tourist, but denied punching him.
The second tourist received bruising to his left eye, and told police he had been punched four or five times by the front seat passenger - Rawiri.
Some of the stolen property was found at Rawiri's partner's house in Arataki.
Rawiri said after the robbery he and Bridger drove to Welcome Bay Tavern where he played pokies, then took a taxi back to Arataki, taking some of the stolen items.
Bridger's lawyer Tony Balme put it to Rawiri his evidence was "a pack of lies" and he had fingered Bridger after "cutting a deal" with police.
Rawiri originally told police he bought the tent and sleeping bag from Bridger.
Rawiri said he had recanted his statements after he had time to think and wanted to take full responsibility for his crime.
"Isn't it a case that you are dead-set liar who is quite prepared to sit here and tell us that you didn't punch the French tourists. This is all about minimising your role in the robbery isn't it Mr Rawiri? You are flat out lying to try to avoid taking full responsibility," Mr Balme said.
"No, I'm telling the truth," Rawiri replied.
The trial continues.