Hitchhiker’s illegal ride

"He rummaged through the glovebox and located a spare key then drove off toward Tauranga where he slept until morning." Police summary of facts

A hitchhiker who got fed up waiting for a ride smashed his way into a car, stole petrol and then drove dangerously for more than 130 kilometres before crashing into a tree.

The New Plymouth District Court heard how much of Kaya Whioke’s offending, which has previously landed him in prison, was tied up with his abuse of drugs and alcohol.

The 20-year-old’s latest brush with the law began on September 9 this year, after he hitched a ride from Auckland to Paeroa.

He was dropped off in the northern Waikato town about 11pm, where he tried to thumb another lift to Whakatane, where he was living at the time.

After nobody stopped for him for two hours, Whioke became frustrated, the summary of facts said. He then noticed a Toyota car parked outside a nearby hotel and smashed a window to get in. At the time, he was a disqualified driver.

‘‘He rummaged through the glovebox and located a spare key then drove off toward Tauranga where he slept until morning.’’

About 10.30am on September 9, Whioke drove to a petrol station and filled up the car with $63 worth of petrol before taking off without paying.

‘‘With a vehicle and a full tank of petrol, the defendant decided to travel 318km to Taranaki to visit family and friends.’’

As he travelled between Te Kuiti and Mt Messenger, police received complaints from the public about Whioke’s bad driving, including passing other cars on blind corners.

At 4pm, police also saw Whioke driving erratically near Onaero, North Taranaki.

‘‘The defendant attempted to evade police by driving down a driveway, however he was going too fast for the turn and crashed into a tree.’’

Whioke was not injured in the crash, but the stolen car was damaged. He was arrested at the scene.

He previously pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, theft, driving while disqualified and driving in a dangerous manner.

Whioke has 23 previous convictions, and served jail time in the past, for crimes connected to his substance abuse problems, the court heard.

Lawyer Patrick Mooney said Whioke has been assessed for treatment and a spot was available for him at a Hamilton based facility.

Reparation for Whioke’s offending, totalling $1643 for the petrol theft and damage done to the stolen car, was sought by police.

Judge John McDonald said instead of more jail time, he believed drug and alcohol treatment would be ‘‘more productive’’ and he was willing to give the defendant a crack at it.

‘‘Time will tell to see whether it brings any change in you but I’m going to give you that opportunity,’’ he said.

Whioke was sentenced to four months’ home detention and was disqualified from driving for 10 months. He was also ordered to pay reparation.