A 30-year-old Gisborne music teacher facing 16 charges of sexual offending against teenage students has pleaded guilty to most of the charges halfway through a trial in Napier District Court.
Police arrested Stephen Shone after five young women alleged he had assaulted them between 2003 and 2007.
At the start of the trial on Monday, the accused pleaded not guilty to 15 charges of sexual violation and indecent assault and one of rape.
But on Wednesday, after the fourth complainant gave her evidence, he consulted his lawyer before pleading guilty to 11 charges.
The Crown withdrew four other charges, including the charge of rape.
The trial will continue on Thursday on one charge of indecent assault.
