12:00 PM
Auckland investment banker Matthew Schofield has admitted charges over the death and injury of colleagues at the Merrill Lynch Christmas party.
Schofield, 26, pleaded guilty in the Auckland District Court to charges of manslaughter and injuring by an unlawful act.
He was charged with the manslaughter of his Merrill Lynch colleague Gareth Stewart Lyndon McFadyen.
Mr McFadyen, 24, died three days after his Hawaiian grass skirt costume caught fire.
Schofield also admitted disfiguring another worker, Angela Offwood, who was badly burnt.
The Crown alleged Mr Schofield used a cigarette lighter to light the bottom of Mr McFadyen's skirt while he and Mrs Offwood were in a toilet during the party.
Mrs Offwood suffered her injuries trying to douse the flames.
* Full report in tomorrow's Herald.
Banker pleads guilty to charges over Christmas party fire
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