Remorse follows theft

An Ascot Park woman with a strong conscience smoked tobacco her daughter had helped steal, then made her daughter confess to the burglary.

Mother- of- seven Carol Patricia Tuari Hemi, 36, was convicted at Porirua District Court last Tuesday of receiving stolen tobacco.

Judge John Walker sentenced her to come back to court if required in the next six months.

On Monday, November 11, at 3pm, Hemi was drinking at her home with family members, police prosecutor Paul Macky said.

Hemi’s 16- year- old nephew went next door, smashed a neighbour’s back window and stole tobacco worth $40.

Hemi’s daughter, also 16, acted as a lookout during the burglary.

Knowing the tobacco was stolen, Hemi smoked it.

Later that evening, however, she felt remorse and made her daughter tell the neighbour what had happened, Mr Macky said.

Hemi’s lawyer Alasdair Ross said she felt guilty about receiving the tobacco and was happy to pay back the $40.

Judge Walker ordered that amount to be paid, and commended Hemi for fronting up to her neighbour and taking responsibility.

Police prosecutor Mr Macky asked that Hemi also make to repair the smashed window.

The two teenagers involved were presently before the youth court and were unlikely to be able to make reparation, he said.

However, Judge Walker said he could not make Hemi pay reparation for the window because she was not charged in relation to the burglary.

Mr Macky suggested calling the reparation ‘‘emotional harm’’ to the victim, but Judge Walker refused.