Two women in court over attack on 92-year-old Kawakawa widow

The two women appeared in the Kaikohe District Court yesterday, one by audio-visual link from prison, the other in person. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Two women have appeared in court in relation to a brutal home invasion which left a 92-year-old Kawakawa widow in hospital.

The second arrest, which came yesterday afternoon, means police now have everyone they believe was involved in the January 9 attack on the elderly woman in her own home.

The first to appear in Kaikohe District Court, at 11am yesterday, was 24-year-old Bella Rina Rudolph of Kaikohe.

She appeared by audio-visual link from Auckland Women's Prison charged with aggravated robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Rudolph was initially arrested on Friday on six unrelated burglary charges relating to earlier incidents in Kerikeri, Oromahoe, Rawene, Kawakawa and Paihia.

The second accused, 40-year-old Carrisa Angelique Davis of Kawakawa, appeared at 2.15pm also charged with aggravated robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Both women were remanded in custody and are due in the Whangārei District Court on January 21.

Rudolph's mother, partner and young children were in court during her emotionally charged appearance, which took place via a TV screen linked to prison.

A clearly distraught Rudolph waved to her children in the gallery, who called out ''Where are you?'' and ''Mummy when are you coming home?''.

When it became impossible to hear over their shouts Judge John McDonald ordered that they be removed from the courtroom, saying it was not appropriate to have children in court under such circumstances.

After they were removed Rudolph continued to weep and hold her head in her hands.
Davis' afternoon appearance was by comparison subdued and lasted barely three minutes.

She appeared in person, having only been arrested that afternoon, and stared straight ahead, making no attempt to engage with the handful of people in the public gallery.

Neither woman applied for name suppression. Rudolph indicated she would apply for bail at her next appearance.

Judge McDonald declined an application by the Advocate to take photos of the accused because it was a first appearance.

However, he warned Rudolph's lawyer that he would grant permission at her next appearance unless she could come up with ''some very strong arguments'' why he shouldn't.

The head of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston, said police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the home invasion, which occurred on Whangae Rd, a rural road near Kawakawa.

"We know the community was appalled to hear the details of this incident and we are pleased to be able to hold those allegedly responsible to account. We want to reassure the community that police take matters of this nature extremely seriously and we will investigate thoroughly," he said.

Earlier police said two women knocked at the 92-year-old's door asking for petrol, then assaulted her with a weapon, searched her home and stole property.

According to court documents the type of weapon used is not yet known.

The victim, who was injured and extremely shaken by the attack, was admitted to Bay of Islands Hospital and discharged late the following day. She is believed to be staying with family members.