Transgender robber sprayed taxi driver with deodorant

By GLENN McLEANglenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki |

Stuff Saturday, 02 February 2008

A transgender woman has admitted robbing a New Plymouth taxi driver after spraying him in the eyes with deodorant.

Justin Morgan-Peka was born a man but appeared as a woman before Judge Allan Roberts in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday.

The 21-year-old, who is originally from Whangarei, put her hand up to the aggravated robbery, as well as a charge of shoplifting.

Morgan-Peka had been drinking at several New Plymouth bars with a friend on January 9 before they went to a taxi stand late at night for a ride.

Taxi driver Garry Mumby picked the pair up but let Morgan-Peka's friend out after a short distance after she had the taxi stop for her to be sick.

After getting Mr Mumby to drive to Marfell School, Morgan-Peka got out of the taxi, went to the driver's door and sprayed him in the eyes with deodorant.

She then robbed him of $220 and ran off.

Mr Mumby gave chase but could not find the offender. Police found the taxi driver's log book in the rubbish bin at Morgan-Peka's flat after they searched it. She was arrested a short time later trying to board a bus north.

Defence counsel Turitea Bolstad asked if the sentencing for her client could be transferred to Whangarei where she could have family support.

Judge Roberts declined, remanding her in custody for sentence on March 26.