The man charged with stealing hundreds of medals from the National Army Museum at Waiouru has pleaded guilty to seven charges.
Former museum employee Keith Davies, 57, pleaded guilty in the Wellington District Court this morning to seven representative charges involving medals to the value of $233,155.
Davies, a medal collector and former territorial soldier, was arrested after he voluntarily returned to New Zealand from Australia in August. He had worked at the museum between 1995 and 2002.
He pleaded guilty to theft, obtaining property by deception, theft as a servant and false pretences charges.
Lawyer Greg King said a "large number'' of other charges had been withdrawn.
Of the 744 medals stolen, 395 had been recovered. None of the medals taken was a Victoria Cross, he said.
Judge Susan Thomas remanded Davies on bail to be sentenced in Wanganui on November 18.
King said Davies would pay a "substantial'' amount in reparation.
The clean-cut Davies, who was a territorial solder and served in Bougainville, refused to comment outside the court.
