Motel death: Teens to face further charges

Leonard Nattrass-Berquist and Beauen Wallace-Loretz face additional charges over the death of 54-year-old Ihaia Gillman-Harris. Photo / Supplied

The two teenagers charged with murdering a man in an Auckland motel face extra charges that were added today.

Leonard Nattrass-Berquist and Beauen Daniel George Wallace-Loretz, both 17, appeared today in Auckland District Court over the death of 54-year-old Ihaia Gillman-Harris on December 27 at the Ascot Epsom Motel.

The pair went to police on New Year's Eve.

Two days later, they were charged with murder and made a brief court appearance before a Justice of the Peace before the case came before a judge today.

Judge Russell Collins said the District Court now had no jurisdiction and remanded the pair in custody until next month when they will appear before the High Court at Auckland.

Court documents show two further charges have been laid against Nattrass-Berquist and Wallace-Loretz today.

They are accused of robbing Mr Gillman-Harris of cash, a cell phone and bank card as well as unlawfully taking his $15,000 Range Rover.

Like the first, today's hearing saw a packed public gallery with dozens of friends and family in court to support the teens.

Defence lawyers may apply for bail with the High Court before the next appearance in February.

It is alleged the pair were with Mr Gillman-Harris when he checked into an Epsom motel on December 27.

Shortly after check-in, two young men left in Mr Gillman-Harris' vehicle.

An hour later he went to reception with a serious head injury and asked for help. He died in hospital soon after.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard would not comment further on the specifics of the investigation but said the victim's family were relieved arrests had been made.

Mr Gillman-Harris was a private man who worked for KiwiRail as a team leader assistant in Auckland's Southdown freight terminal.

He spent Christmas Day in Wellington before travelling to Auckland on Boxing Day.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Gillman-Harris died as a result of blunt-force trauma to his head but police would not say if a weapon had been used.