25 Nov 2011

Surprise guilty plea in Carmen Thomas case

7:20 pm on 25 November 2011

The ex-boyfriend of Auckland mother Carmen Thomas has admitted murdering her.

The 32-year-old's dismembered body was found in a crude grave in the Waitakere Ranges last year after police carried out an extensive search for her remains.

Officers who have worked on the case packed the High Court in Auckland on Friday as Bradford Callaghan unexpectedly made two guilty pleas.

Callaghan, who is the father of Ms Thomas's six-year-old son, was due to stand trial in February but admitted murdering her and attempting to pervert the course of justice after her death.

Justice Venning convicted Callaghan on both charges and remanded him in custody until his sentencing, which will follow a disputed facts hearing in March.

The pleas were suppressed until Friday afternoon so the police could tell Ms Thomas's family.

Police did not tell Ms Thomas's family until after Friday's hearing because it would have been devastating if Callaghan had changed his mind.

Detective Inspector Mark Benefield told Checkpoint the case shows how violence tears families apart.

"We have a number of families that have been ripped apart. Not only Carmen's family," he said.

Crown prosecutor Simon Moore says it is a relief to the family that the matter will not go to trial.

Callaghan's lawyer Stuart Grieve says his client acted responsibly.

"Callaghan is an intelligent young man who has had the courage to take responsibility for his actions in this tragic saga, and he's pleaded guilty to the two charges today," he said.