Camera caught neighbour in act of stealing

A man who stole money from his neighbour using a spare key to her home was caught on camera taking $20 while she was at a police station reporting the thefts.

Adam Murray Anderson, 41, pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary when he appeared in the Nelson District Court on Monday.

The court heard that the 61-year-old victim, who lived alone in Stoke, went away on holiday last October and told Anderson’s partner where the spare key was.

Between February and July this year, the victim noticed on at least four occasions that money had gone missing from her kitchen and bedroom drawers. There were no signs of forced entry, and she began to suspect that Anderson was responsible.

On July 23 the victim installed a CCTV system, with a camera in her bedroom. Two days later, the footage captured Anderson in her bedroom looking through her drawers while wearing latex gloves. He left the address without taking anything.

The woman went to the police station the next day to report the burglary. While she was out, Anderson returned to her home and stole $20 from an envelope in her bedroom drawers, which was also captured on CCTV footage.

When the victim returned home and discovered the latest burglary, she told police.

It was estimated that $2320 cash had been stolen, for which reparation was sought.

Duty lawyer Wayne Jones said Anderson was disgusted with himself and could pay reparation at a rate of $50 a week.

Judge Richard Russell said it was a case of ‘‘dreadful offending’’, and Anderson had breached the trust of a vulnerable victim multiple times.

Anderson was remanded on bail with an order not to associate with or contact the victim. Judge Russell referred the matter to restorative justice and ordered a presentence report. Anderson will reappear for sentencing on September 18.