Obviously Richard Gere has never been to New Zealand.

[Shockeye]

Hamster smuggler fails to front

16/12/2005 6:46:03

The sentencing of a Wellington woman who smuggled a hamster into New Zealand has been adjourned after she failed to appear in court.

The 43-year-old has pleaded guilty to possessing unauthorised goods.

The woman, who has interim name suppression, faces a possible jail term after sneaking a hamster named Eric into the country two years ago.

She passed through border security after concealing the rodent in her pocket and spraying herself in perfume, so Quarantine service beagles would not be able to detect the rodent.

She failed to turn up to the Wellington District Court yesterday, and has been given until Monday before a warrant for her arrest is issued.