Fingerprints at scene give Nelson man up
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A young boy was so scared after a burglary, he asked his mother to keep his teddy bear in the freezer for safe keeping, a Nelson court has heard.
Damon Morris, 22, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, wilful damage, and common assault in Nelson District Court on Friday. The charges related to two separate incidents.
In July, Morris forced his way into a Wakatu home through a side-window of a bedroom and stole $6500 worth of property. Fingerprints uplifted from the windowsill inside the bedroom window were found to be a match for Morris.
The other incident involved Morris tagging the word ‘‘MOB’’ in the walkway tunnel under Whakatu Drive.
According to the police summary of facts, an ‘‘older gentleman’’ was cycling nearby when he spotted Morris spraying the graffiti and yelled at him, asking what he was doing. Morris swung a punch and caught the man in the face as he cycled past.
The victim, who was visiting from the North Island, needed four stitches to his mouth and cheek. Morris told police he realised he over-reacted and had been in the wrong, but in the moment thought the man might hit him.
Judge Tony Zohrab said the victims from the burglary had also been badly affected, particularly the nine-year-old boy.
He said Morris was responsible for the boy being so scared he wanted to hide his teddy bear in the freezer to protect it from the ‘‘burglars’’. The boy had also been reluctant to go to bed because he was frightened.
Judge Zohrab considered Morris’ young age, guilty pleas, and cooperation with counselling and community programmes.
He sentenced Morris to nine months’ supervision, 180 hours’ community work, and ordered him to pay reparation for items taken in the burglary and the medical expenses of the cyclist.
He warned Morris that were he to see him back in court, he’d have no hesitation in sending him to prison.