A 16-year-old schoolboy has today admitted assaulting Auckland teen Stephen Dudley on the day a manslaughter trial over the teen's death was to begin.
The more serious charge against the 16-year-old has been dropped after the guilty plea was entered in the High Court at Auckland this morning.
Stephen, 15, died after a school rugby training session on June 6 last year.
He was taken to Auckland City Hospital after being assaulted at training and died a short time later.
The 16-year-old was bailed until March, when he will be sentenced. A pre-sentence report was ordered and the teenager's name suppression will continue until the sentencing.
