Woman accused of putting hit on police officer husband

File photo / NZ Herald

A woman accused of arranging an assault hit on her police officer husband may escape any punishment over the alleged plot.

The defendant aged in her 40s appeared in North Shore District Court this morning and initially pleaded not guilty to the charge, electing trial by jury.

However, after the lunch break the court heard the police would consider her for diversion.

Diversion allows mainly one-off offenders to address the causes of their actions through completing several tasks, after which the police withdraw the charge.

The defendant faces a charge of attempting to procure the commission of an offence, namely assault with intent to injure.

It is alleged the incident took place in January and according to court documents the complainant is a police officer.

Community Magistrate Dianne Hale granted the woman name suppression because of "potentially devastating" consequences.

After initially suppressing all details of the hearing, she eventually relaxed the order to cover the identity of the defendant, her family situation, employment and the police's summary of facts.

Defence lawyer Ian Tucker addressed the court earlier today in support of the suppression bid.

He said his client had not yet told her employer about the charge and was fearful she would lose her job if she did.

She will be back in court in two weeks when police will have made a decision whether or not to offer her diversion.

The scheme usually involves restorative justice, an apology letter, reparation to the victims and/or counselling.