A lesson learned

A Takapuwahia teenager has sworn off spirits after a night drinking bourbon ended with him stealing cash from Titahi Bay’s Mariner pub.

House painter Alan McKay, 19, drank for several hours at the Mariner on July 25. As the bar manager was closing up at 10.20pm, McKay grabbed $ 72 from an open till and ran out the door, dropping $20 in the process.

When he arrived home he had no memory of the incident, but his mother suspected something had happened and rang the police.

McKay was charged with theft and faced up to three months in prison when he appeared at Porirua District Court last Tuesday.

McKay’s lawyer, Sue Insley, said he had never drunk spirits before and was shocked. ‘‘ He hasn’t had a drink since, it shook him so much.’’

Judge Ian Mill sentenced McKay to 40 hours’ community work on top of the 180 hours he was already serving for a previous burglary offence.

He will repay the $52 to the Mariner and write a letter of apology to its manager.