Man pleads to raft of charges
A Timaru man is in custody awaiting sentence after admitting 12 charges including shoplifting and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Josiah David Brooking, 20, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving while disqualified for a third or subsequent time, wilful trespass, shoplifting, two counts of receiving property, two of attempting to pervert the course of justice, two of failing to stop, and two of driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner when he appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in Timaru District Court on Friday.
Brooking garnered the first of the charges when he breached a trespass notice issued against him by The Warehouse on Heaton St, Timaru, about 3.20pm on October 21, 2019.
Police prosecutor Toaiva Hitila said Brooking was arrested and when searched a $17 one-litre bottle of Castrol automatic transmission and power steering fluid was found. A few days later, about 1pm on October 24, Brooking was spotted driving a blue Ford Falcon motor vehicle while disqualified on Frasers Rd.
Police, while searching for Brooking, visited an address on Rolling Ridges Rd and spotted a yellow Suzuki motorbike in the driveway which had been reported stolen. The defendant was arrested and a search warrant issued, resulting in a stolen chainsaw also being found.
About a month later, on November 23, police began looking for Brooking when his family and friends became concerned about his state of mind and his driving as a result. Two short police pursuits ensued and both were abandoned due to Brooking’s dangerous driving. Brooking was taken into custody on November 25.
Christchurch Men’s Prison staff intercepted two letters by Brooking on December 18 and January 8, 2020. The first asked his associates to give him an alibi for the two police pursuits, while the other asked another associate to sign an affidavit saying he was the driver of a vehicle in relation to a driving while disqualified matter.
Judge Maze remanded Brooking in custody.
The judge ordered a cultural report, psychological report, and pre-sentence report before sentencing on March 26.