November 24, 2009

Seven prosecution witnesses are likely to give evidence at the trial of a Canterbury horse trainer charged with the theft of four horses, the Christchurch Court News website reports.

Nicola Anne Subritzky is likely to face trial before a judge alone, in the Christchurch District Court next year.

The case came before Judge Gary MacAskill at a status hearing yesterday and was given a new status hearing date of December 21 so that more details of the police case can be handed to the defence.

Defence counsel Paul Norcross said he had already received copies of witness statements and other documentation but was still to receive briefs of evidence. There were to be seven prosecution witnesses.

A status hearing is held before a case proceeds to a trial before a judge.

Subritzky, aged 41, is from Springston, south of Christchurch, and the three charges allege the five horses were stolen at Darfield, west of the city, on August 4.

The horses are valued at $3000 each and three of them belong to a couple, one belongs to a bloodstock operation, and a further animal belongs to a person named in the charge.

Subritzky remains on bail during the remand.