Deported man pleads guilty to Manurewa home invasion and arson

Wednesday 21 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Wed 21 Oct, 4:06pm

Benjamin Joseph Angell has pleaded guilty in the Auckland High Court to attempted murder, rape, and arson. The 40-year-old, who was deported from Australia in 2024, attacked a stranger in her Manurewa home and attempted to burn her body. The victim survived the attack after pretending to be dead.

How they headlined it

3:49pm

1. StuffWed 21 Oct, 3:49pm

   Deported ‘high-risk’ 501 raped, tried to kill, and then set stranger’s bed alight (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldWed 21 Oct, 4:06pm

   501 rapist Ben Angell pleads guilty to attempted murder in Manurewa home invasion (opens in new tab)