Man pleads guilty to murdering school sweetheart

A north Wairarapa man has pleaded guilty to murdering his high school sweetheart.

Tom Aporo, aged 33, killed his partner of 17 years, Rosemary Harry, at their Sedcole Street home in Pahiatua in July last year.

Dozens of Ms Harry's family and friends were in the High Court at Palmerston North for the start of what was expected to be a two-week trial.

Before the trial got underway, Aporo changed his plea to guilty.

He began crying in the dock as the court heard of the traumatic injuries he inflicted on Ms Harry, including more than 60 facial fractures and a knife snapped off in her neck.

The Crown is seeking a minimum non-parole period of longer than ten years. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 20.

- NEWSTALK ZB