Woman accused of mallet bashing to stand trial

Natalie Ann Reader Van Breugel is accused of hitting Lance John Bain "numerous times" with a mallet. Photo / Thinkstock

A woman accused of killing a man by assaulting him with a mallet will defend the charfges.

Lance John Bain, 43, died more than two weeks after the alleged assault in the west Auckland suburb of Ranui on November 17.

He didn't immediately seek medical help and is understood to have developed blood poisoning as a result of his injuries.

Police allege Natalie Ann Reader Van Breugel - also known as Natalie Ann Reader - hit him "numerous times'' with a mallet.

The 45-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and injuring with intent to injure this morning.

Police had also charged van Breugel with threatening to kill but that charge has since been dropped.

She appeared briefly in the High Court at Auckland this morning where Justice Timothy Brewer remanded her on bail.

A trial date is yet to be set.

Police launched their investigation on behalf of the Coroner, who requested they review the assault and "culmination of events'' that led to Mr Bain's death.

It is understood Van Breugel and Mr Bain were in a relationship.