The Crown has today closed its case in the jury trial of the Arataki man accused of being involved in the bashing and robbery of two French tourists in Papamoa last year. Che Teraumate Bridger, 25, whose trial began in Tauranga District Court on Monday has denied two counts of aggravatedrobbery. Bridger has elected not to take the witness box to give evidence or call any defence witnesses. The Crown and Bridger's lawyer Tony Balme will begin giving their closing arguments to the jury, followed by Judge Peter Rollo's summing up of their respective cases. The jury is expected to retire to deliberation on their verdicts later this afternoon. The Crown alleges that Bridger together with Bo-Tamati Rawiri, 26, assaulted and robbed the Frenchmen while they were hitchhiking from Tauranga to Rotorua on July 7, 2012. Rawiri, who has admitted his role in the robbery has already been sentenced.
