Crime and Justice
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Man pleads guilty to murder of Auckland dairy worker Janak Patel

By 1News Reporters
March 13, 2024

Frederick Gilbert Hobson, 35, admitted in the Auckland High Court today to the killing and aggravated robbery. (Source: 1News)

A man has pleaded guilty to murder for his role in the killing of dairy worker Janak Patel.

Patel, 34, was attacked outside the pink-painted Rose Cottage Superette in the Auckland suburb of Sandringham on November 23, 2022.

Frederick Hobson.

Frederick Hobson. (Source: 1News)

He died soon afterwards. The case caused nationwide outrage at a time of intense attention on retail crime.

Frederick Gilbert Hobson, 35, pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated robbery at Auckland High Court this morning.

He is set to be sentenced on June 26.

Janak Patel.

Janak Patel. (Source: 1News)

Hobson had previously denied the charges.

His two co-defendants, both also charged with murder, are set to face trial in May.

New ZealandCrime and JusticeAuckland

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