Golriz Ghahraman has pleaded guilty to all her charges in the Auckland District Court today.
The former Green MP admitted the four shoplifting charges over allegations she stole about $10,000 worth of goods.
Judge Maria Pecotic remanded Ghahraman at large until her sentencing on June 24. The judge did not enter a conviction over any of the charges but may do so at Ghahraman鈥檚 sentencing.
After the brief hearing, Ghahraman left via the back entrance of the court, with a man escorting her away towards a black ute with tinted windows.
She did not provide any comment to a 九一星空无限talk ZB reporter.
When Ghahraman arrived at court, a man, understood to be acting as security for the former politician, attempted to shine a torch into photographers鈥 camera lenses.
Golriz Ghahraman in the dock at the Auckland District Court today. Photo / Dean Purcell
A man, understood to be acting as security for Golriz Ghahraman, shines a torch into photographers' cameras. Photo / Dean Purcell
Today鈥檚 hearing was initially scheduled for March 20 but was brought forward. Ghahraman was wearing a black dress and carrying a Free Palestine-labelled bag.
The 43-year-old stole $2060 of clothing from Scotties Boutique in Auckland鈥檚 Ponsonby on December 21 and was also charged with stealing $7223 worth of clothing from the same store two days later.
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It is understood the value of the clothing for the second Scotties-related charge has been reduced to $5773.
Both of the Auckland charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
A staff member at Scotties Boutique said the store had no comment to make after Ghahraman鈥檚 admission of guilt today.
Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman has arrived at the Auckland District Court. Photo / Dean Purcell
Ghahraman was also charged with stealing $695 worth of clothing from Wellington鈥檚 Cre8iveworx store on October 22. That charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.
No Cre8iveworx staff were available to speak when the Herald phoned after the court appearance.
The final charge relates to the theft of a $389 navy cardigan from Standard Issue in Newmarket on December 22.
If convicted on this charge she faces a maximum of three months in jail.
In court today, prosecutor Alysha McClintock said police did not oppose media applications to film Ghahraman.
Ghahraman鈥檚 lawyer Annabel Cresswell opposed the applications but, while sympathetic, Judge Pecotic granted the media鈥檚 request.
The case has been delayed twice due to third and fourth charges being added.
In an earlier statement, Ghahraman, who resigned from Parliament in January, apologised for her behaviour and said she did not excuse her actions.
She cited 鈥渆xtreme stress鈥 and linked it to previously unrecognised trauma. She said she was seeking help from mental health professionals.
In her statement, Ghahraman said the stress had led her to act in ways that were 鈥渃ompletely out of character.
鈥淚 am not trying to excuse my actions, but I do want to explain them.
鈥淭he mental health professional I see says my recent behaviour is consistent with recent events giving rise to extreme stress response, and relating to previously unrecognised trauma.鈥
Ghahraman continued: 鈥淧eople should, rightly, expect the highest standards of behaviour from their elected representatives. I fell short. I鈥檓 sorry. It鈥檚 not a behaviour I can explain because it鈥檚 not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I鈥檓 not well.
鈥淚t is a great honour to serve as a Member of Parliament. I am proud of my advocacy work on human rights and foreign affairs, and particularly proud of campaigns that resulted in practical improvements to the electoral laws governing donations and overseas voting.鈥
Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers social issues including sexual assault, workplace misconduct, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.
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