TV1 News

Dover Samuels Cleared – Murderer Pleads Guilty – Baby Bashing Charges – New Evidence OF Dysfunctional Relationship – Pubs Pay for TAB

- DOVER SAMUELS CLEARED: Dover Samuels announced in Parliament today that he had been cleared of charges of rape and sex with a minor. Although there are outstanding matters under the Guardianship Act regarding whether Mr Samuels was a father figure to the woman he was in a relationship with, Mr Samuels has been cleared of all serious charges. Mr Samuels would not comment on whether he should be reinstated as Maori Affairs Minister, but his legal counsel, Peter Williams QC, said he should be reinstated. MR Samuels said there have been people in the shadows behind a campain against him who should be feeling very uncomfortable.

- MURDERER PLEADS GUILTY: Auckland man Taffy Hotene has admitted stabbing journalist Carly Jones to death. He pleaded guilty to charges of murder, kidnap and robbery today. His family says they will wash their hands of Mr Hotene, who has a history of violence and rape.

- BABY BASHING CHARGES: A 28 yr old Carterton woman, Rachel Namana, appeared in court today on assault charges against the murdered Wairarapa toddler. Ms Namana, who is pregnant, has been released on bail under strict conditions. Meanwhile, a sister of the Carterton woman says she’s a suspect in the murder and her children have been taken out of her care. The children are in the care of senior family members, under the supervision of Child Youth and Family.

- NEW EVIDENCE OF DYSFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP: The National party have released new evidence they say proves a dysfunctional relationship between Carol Stigley and Sandra Lee resulted in Ms Stigley’s resignation from Local Government New Zealand and subsequent $140,000 golden handshake. Ms Lee denies demanding stigly’s resignation, and Ms Stigley had no comment on the allegations. Ms Lee hit back at National, reading from a positive letter she received from Ms Stigley recently. Meanwhile, Wellington Mayor Mark Blumskey has resigns his executive position in Local Government New Zealand in protest over its treatment of Ms Stigley.

- PUBS PAY FOR TAB: The TAB have demanded that pubs pay a 3 year $10,000 license fee to have betting facilities on their premises, which has left pub owners unhappy. The TAB are upgrading their outlets.

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