Soldier steals for his family

A Porirua soldier facing discharge from the army stole another soldier’s television and PlayStation and tried to sell them to support his family.

Cannons Creek man Wiremu Erika Pickering, 23, was discharged from the army on August 9 because he was taking too much leave over family issues.

The week before leaving, he burgled another soldier’s room at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, Porirua District Court heard last Tuesday.

Pickering had texted his partner in Porirua, telling her he intended to steal another soldier’s television, and told her to clear their car so he could fit it in, police prosecutor Karen Vaughan said.

On August 5 he tried unsuccessfully to jemmy open the other soldier’s door, then tried to tamper with the handle and also failed.

He then got into the ceiling and dropped down into the soldier’s room, Ms Vaughan said.

He stole a 50-inch flatscreen TV, an entertainment system, a PlayStation 3 and PlayStation games, taking the haul to his own room.

Later that day an officer visited Pickering’s room, asking where he got the goods from.

Pickering told him he’d bought them from the army shop and offered to sell them to the officer, who declined.

Pickering returned to Porirua and tried to sell the goods, but was questioned by police soon after.

Most of the goods were recovered, but $4080.95 reparation was still being sought by the complainant and his insurance company.

Pickering’s lawyer, Andrew More, said Pickering’s partner was expecting a baby at the time, and he had been trying to support her.

Since being discharged from the army Pickering had been on a standdown period with Work and Income New Zealand, so had no income and was able to pay only $10 a week reparation, Mr More said.

Judge John Walker sentenced Pickering to 150 hours’ community work and ordered him to pay the full reparation amount. ‘‘This was a real breach of trust. ‘‘You let your mates down,’’ Judge Walker said.