An Auckland businessman has admitted attacking his
ex-business partner with a knife and shooting his girlfriend,
leaving her with life-threatening injuries.
Martin Victor Lyttelton today pleaded guilty to three charges
in the High Court at Auckland after a judge ruled he was
mentally fit to stand trial.
He admitted attempting to murder his former business partner
Richard Ord, causing grievous bodily harm with intent to
injure to Mr Ord's partner Colleen Fenton, and the aggravated
burglary of their home.
The police summary of facts said Lyttelton and Mr Ord had
been business partners but their relationship soured about 10
years ago and they had been the subjects of ongoing court
proceedings.
Lyttelton drove to Mr Ord and Ms Fenton's home in Browns Bay
on Auckland's North Shore on April 10 last year armed with a
shotgun, six rounds of ammunition and a skinning knife.
Lyttelton first tried to force his way through the door of
their home before firing a round from the shotgun into the
door, hitting Ms Fenton in the thigh.
She suffered life-threatening injuries due to an artery being
severed and losing a lot of blood. She subsequently required
emergency surgery.
As Lyttelton was reloading his shotgun, Mr Ord released his
grip on the door handle, allowing Lyttelton entry to the
room.
Mr Ord then grabbed Lyttelton and the pair struggled with the
firearm, during which time Mr Ord discovered the gun was
empty of ammunition.
Mr Ord subsequently pinned Lyttelton against a door frame, at
which point the gun was discarded.
Lyttelton then pulled a knife from his trouser pocket and
tried to stab Mr Ord, causing cuts to his hands.
Eventually the struggle subsided and Mr Ord persuaded
Lyttelton to relinquish the knife.
Lyttelton, a 51-year-old from Remuera, was the former
managing director of Calan Healthcare Property Trust.
Justice Douglas Wylie today said three separate mental health
professionals had concluded Lyttelton was mentally fit to
stand trial.
He said there was evidence he had issues with depression but
that he was responding well to treatment and medication and
was fit enough under the legislation to stand trial.
Once that judgment was made, Lyttelton pleaded guilty to all
three charges.
Lyttelton will be sentenced next month, or early in 2010.
A further mental health assessment and a pre-sentence report
will be put together before sentencing, and lawyers indicated
there may be a need for a disputed facts hearing before
sentencing.
