Woman charged with assault over Ashburton death

A Wellington woman will appear in Timaru District Court this morning charged with assaulting a man who was later found dead in an Ashburton industrial area on Sunday.

The 26-year-old woman was arrested overnight and charged with assaulting Arran James Gairns with intent to rob, on Saturday.

Mr Gairns' body was found on Sunday in a water run-off area behind commercial premises.

Detective Senior Sergeant Marion Neill said police would continue to focus on the events leading up to Mr Gairns' death today.

"This will include locating other persons who may have been involved in these events."