Twins jailed for thefts
AN Invercargill man who broke into numerous tourist vehicles around the Catlins has been jailed, along with his twin brother.
Damion Donald Mills and Vincent Laurie Mills (39) were originally both charged with a slew of thefts over February and March this year but it was Damion Mills — the slightly older of the pair — who put his hand up for the crimes.
The 17 charges to which he pleaded guilty represented losses of more than $13,000 to his victims, the Dunedin District Court heard this week.
The most serious charge — according to Judge John Macdonald at sentencing — was a burglary that took place on March 16, involving both brothers.
After drinking at the Tokanui Tavern, the duo drove towards Curio Bay, but they veered off the road and got stuck in a ditch.
In a bid to find help, they wandered on to a nearby rural property, but found it unoccupied.
Vincent Mills found a premixed bourbon drink in an outside fridge and started drinking it before they used a knife to break into the house through a window.
Inside they grabbed a pumpaction shotgun with ammunition, and also discovered a BB gun in another room.
Damion Mills fired pellets at a television in a child’s bedroom, damaging it beyond repair.
Police found the firearms four days later while the brothers were in a freedom camping area near Owaka.
The shotgun had been sawn off, the court heard.
Other stolen items in the men’s car — including weapons, electronics and women’s underwear — led to police tracing the spate of thefts back to the men.
Damion Mills’ spree started on February 14 with the burglary of the River Ridge Retreat, which a school was using for a camp.
He made off with two cellphones — one belonging to a parent helper, one to a pupil.
But most of the defendant’s hits were smash and grab.
Damion Mills would smash a rear quarter light window to get into tourist vehicles and raid them for valuables.
He stole passports, numerous electronic items, a drone, clothing, cash, bank cards and camping items.
Areas he operated in included Tautuku Beach, Lake Wilkie, Matai Falls, Papatowai and Tokanui, court documents stated.
His counsel Sophia Thorburn said the offending had been driven by drug addiction.
‘‘His drug of choice has been methamphetamine,’’ she said.
‘‘He has used it as a crutch . . . as it makes him forget his troubles.’’
While Damion Mills did not have the funds to immediately repay his victims, Ms Thorburn said he was willing to pay off the debt once he was released from prison.
Vincent Mills was jailed for 18 months and ordered to pay reparation of $450.
It is understood he will be released shortly because of time already served on remand.
His brother was imprisoned for two years and 10 months.
Judge Macdonald wiped more than $12,000 of fines so the defendant could focus on paying the $13,888 of reparation.