Man robbed and bitten in attack

Press, 19 December 1989, Page 24

Man robbed and bitten in attack

PA Auckland A man who picked up a transvestite in Auckland’s Karangahape Road to have sex was robbed, punched, bitten and hit with a stiletto shoe before escaping by running naked on to the street, the police told the District Court in Auckland. The police prosecutor, Sergeant Bill Richards, said the man picked up the transvestite in his car about 10 a.m. last Thursday. A price of $4O was agreed on and the man drove to the transvestite’s flat in Mount Eden. Also living in the flat was a woman, aged 24, and Manu Carlos Harmer, aged 19, an unemployed scaffolder. Harmer pleaded guilty to charges of assault, unlawful interference with a car and theft. After the customer undressed, the transvestite went through his clothes and took his keys, saying he was going to search the car for money, Ser-

geant Richards said. The customer objected and the noise of the struggle drew Harmer and the woman to the bedroom. Mr Richards said the woman punched the victim and demanded money. The transvestite searched the victim’s car and struck him about the head with a stiletto shoe, demanding money. Harmer held the man by the throat while the woman scratched at his eyes. She then bit his arm and threatened to knock his teeth out with a hammer. Vhana Stephens, aged 20, and Helen Hohaia, aged 24, both sickness beneficiaries, of Mount Eden, have not pleaded to charges laid in connection with the incident. They were remanded to appear again on January 22. Harmer was convicted by Judge Robert Kerr and remanded in custody for sentence on Friday.