Prisoner released with no ID, cash or home, reoffends

Blenheim in August.

The offending happened between May 27 and June 10, before police located Ching and a search of his vehicle recovered stolen items, drug paraphernalia, a ‘‘tick list’’ and $80 cash, a police summary of facts said.

Ching appeared via audiovisual link in the Blenheim District Court on Monday for sentencing on multiple shoplifting charges.

His lawyer Kent Arnott said Ching had been released from prison and had only been back in the community for a couple of weeks before he started stealing again.

‘‘There are several issues ... drug, mental health and homelessness,’’ Arnott said. ‘‘He was released with no money, no employment, no address, no bank card, or ID. It was only a matter a time.’’

He said his sobriety was the only chance he had at getting out of his cycle of offending.

‘‘His reasons [for offending], part of it was simply to survive, partly to fund his drug habit, and part was to pay a historical drug debt,’’ Arnott said.

He said residential rehabilitation had been tried before. ‘‘The irony was he couldn’t go into treatment because he was too much of an addict,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s unquestionably sad.’’

Judge David Ruth asked if there were any plans in place for the next time Ching was released.

Arnott said there was note, however Ching told Judge Ruth his mum was going to help him.

Judge Ruth said Ching’s criminal history now spanned ‘‘20 pages’’.

A pre-sentence alcohol and drug report indicated Ching started using cocaine when he travelled overseas. ‘‘You were for a time, cooking drugs. Then you were diagnosed with ADHD and started using methamphetamine as a way of self-medicating,’’ Judge Ruth said.

Judge Ruth said he could not see any chance of the $7000 in reparation being paid back, so this was not imposed.

Ching was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment.