Man helped burglar dispose of stolen tools

lA South Canterbury man has admitted helping an associate dispose of $2387 worth of stolen farm tools.

Martin Toomey, 26, pleaded guilty to being an accessory to burglary after the fact when he appeared before Judge Kevin Phillips in the Timaru District Court on Tuesday.

The plea followed police prosecutor Toaiva Hitila withdrawing a charge of receiving property and two of burglary.

Hitila said while Toomey and his associate, Stephen Grove John Brunton, were spending time together in Glenavy on the evening of October 14, the other man drove off ‘‘without telling the defendant where he was going’’ – returning a short time later, about 10.30pm, in a ‘‘panicked’’ state.

Toomey obeyed Brunton’s instruction to get in the car. As the pair travelled down Tawai Ikawai Rd, they were stopped by police.

‘‘Upon being told they were free to go, Brunton told the defendant he had burgled a shed on a nearby farm, stealing a number of power tools and four canisters of petrol,’’ Hitila said.

‘‘Brunton confided in the defendant that he used a stolen angle grinder to cut the steel chain securing a nearby salmon hatchery. Brunton cut the chain in order to open its gate.

‘‘The opened gate triggered the intruder alarm onsite, which caused him to flee in his vehicle.’’

Hitila said Toomey suggested they dispose of the stolen items.

The pair drove to the intersection of Timaru Rd and Waimate Highway/State Highway 1, where Brunton poured the petrol into his vehicle before throwing the empty canisters into a paddock.

Toomey helped Brunton dispose of two chainsaws and a saw, which had a combined value of $2387, through ‘‘unknown means’’.

‘‘The defendant assisted Brunton in disposing of the stolen items, knowing he had stolen them in a burglary.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant stated he was helping Brunton because he didn’t want him to get into trouble,’’ Hitila said.

Judge Phillips remanded Toomey on bail until sentencing on April 3.

Brunton pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary in relation to the incident on November 12.