David Lothian pleads guilty to murder of Alex Latimer

David Lothian pleaded guilty to the murder of Alex Latimer in the High Court in Napier on Tuesday. Photo / Paul Taylor

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of Napier man Alex Latimer last year.

Appearing in the High Court in Napier today, David James Lothian, 27, pleaded guilty to murder, with two charges of aggravated robbery, and one each of arson and reckless driving.

Justice Robert Dobson remanded him in continued custody for sentence tentatively on November 11.

Alex Latimer, whose body was found in Te Haroto last year. Photo / Givealittle

Latimer went missing on September 30, 2018, and his body was found on October 6, during a search of a property near Te Haroto, off State Highway 5 and about 55km from Napier.

Alleged co-offender James Taylor Martin Webby, 25, has entered a plea of not guilty, and a jury has been selected, with the trial due to start on Wednesday morning.

Police investigate the Te Haroto house where Alex Latimer's body was found. Photo / File