TV star's daughter changes plea, fires lawyer

Alix Ashby pleaded guilty in September to a charge of accessing a computer system to steal nearly $25,000. Photo / Supplied

The daughter of an Outrageous Fortune star has changed her plea after earlier admitting stealing nearly $25,000 from her former employers.

Alix Ashby - whose father Kirk Torrance played ex-cop Wayne Judd in the hit kiwi drama - pleaded guilty in September to a charge of using a computer system for a dishonest purpose, from when she was working as a talent booker between May 2011 and July 2012.

But at Auckland District Court this afternoon she sacked her defence counsel Richard Keam and said her new lawyer Gary Gotlieb would attempt to vacate the guilty plea.

Mr Keam, who was expected to argue for an discharge without conviction for his client, said he only received the news "moments ago" and Judge David Harvey said Ashby faced an uphill battle to change her stance.

"There would have to be demonstration of a defence," the judge said.

"Is it because you don't want to face up to the fact you did this and have to pay back 25 grand?" he asked.

Ashby said it was "not like that at all" but could not give details of how she would defend the charge.

"That was just, like, the advice I was given," she told the court.

The defendant started work for "experiential marketing" company Brand Spanking in April 2011 and court documents detail allegations of theft happening on a near weekly basis.

A police summary of facts alleges Ashby's 13-month offending spree involved her making more than 50 payments to two of her own bank accounts while manipulating the computer system to make it seem as though the money was covering legitimate costs.

Brand Spanking director Vivian Bryant said she felt betrayed by Ashby's actions.

Just months into the job, Ms Bryant said the woman was given bonuses, as well as a free trip to Australia - with spending money thrown in - to thank her for her "hard work".

It is understood police will seek reparation of $24,610 on behalf of the company.

Judge Harvey adjourned the matter until January next year when a hearing will be held to determine whether Ashby can vacate her guilty plea and defend the charge.