Infamous arsonists’ holiday home heists
A man addicted to burglary, who has a pyrotechnic criminal history, is back in jail after confessing to robbing empty holiday homes.
Police did not even know some of the robberies had taken place, because the holiday home owners had not yet been to their properties after the crimes.
Christopher Tubman, 44, was sentenced in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday to three years and four months’ prison for 17 burglaries.
Police arrested Tubman after he used a stolen Farmers club card in Palmerston North.
He then told police he had burgled 17 holiday homes at Foxton Beach between August 2017 and May 2018.
Tubman stole a variety of items, including tools, alcohol and appliances.
Tubman has an extensive criminal history, with 24 convictions for burglary before the Foxton Beach heists.
He is most infamous for going on an arson spree around Manawatu¯ in 2009, during which he caused more than $500,000 worth of damage.
He started committing the arsons by lighting someone’s family home in an act of revenge, before becoming hooked on the buzz from arson.
Properties targeted included a high school and a church.
Judge Stephanie Edwards said Tubman was both a recidivist and a spree offender.
She referenced a pre-sentenced report, in which Tubman was described as being addicted to burglary.
‘‘You have not been deterred by previous lengthy prison sentences.’’
But there was a glimmer of hope, with the report writer noting Tubman wanted to change his ways.
Tubman had also been a victim of burglary himself recently – something the judge said was ironic.
‘‘The way you felt about it enabled you to understand, for the first time, how your victims must feel.’’
Crown prosecutor Emma Pairman said Tubman should be subject to a minimum term of imprisonment.
‘‘It is a case of a recidivist burglar who continues to burgle, and says he is addicted to burglary and dishonesty.
The judge said it should be left for the Parole Board to decide if Tubman had changed.