Estate agent uses screwdriver to fend off attacker

A Wairarapa real estate attacked by a man posing as a potential buyer seized a screwdriver from the boot of a car he was trying to force her into and stabbed him.

Nigel Craig Whakarau, 39, unemployed and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three charges that arose from the incident last August when he appeared High Court at Wellington today.

Whakarau arranged a private viewing at an isolated, vacant property about 15 minutes from Carterton on August 2 last year, the police summary of facts said.

Whakarau grabbed the agent as she showed him around, putting his arm around her throat and pushing her to the ground.

Whakarau then straddled her and squeezed her neck until she started to lose consciousness.

He took his arm away and told the woman he just wanted her money and she should stop fighting.

Using duct tape, Whakarau taped the woman's hands behind her back, taped her mouth, and left the house to move his vehicle closer.

While he was gone, the woman managed to get the tape off her hands and locked the door.

However, Whakarau saw what was happening as she ran to lock another door and got there first, stopping her from closing it.

He grabbed her and pulled her outside, dragging her by her clothes towards his vehicle and threatening her with a knife.

As he began pushing her head-first into the boot, she saw a screwdriver and jemmy bar on the floor and grabbed them, swinging them behind her in his direction.

She stabbed him several times and, when he let go of her, she ran to the house and locked herself inside.

Whakarau approached the house and asked her to let him in so he could wipe away his fingerprints. She refused.

He eventually left, telling her if she told anyone what had happened he would hurt her and her family.

After waiting to check he was not coming back, the agent ran to a neighbour, who called the police.

Whakarau was picked up by police later that day and initially claimed the woman attacked him and he had had to fight her off.

He was charged with confining, or kidnapping, the woman, assaulting her while having a knife and robbing her while possessing an offensive instrument, which was tape.

Each of the charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 years' jail.

Justice Forrie Miller remanded Whakarau in custody until June 19 for sentencing, pending a pre-sentence report and two health reports.

The Crown was seeking a sentence of preventive detention, he said.

- NZPA