‘You have to set an example’

A judge has wished a Timaru man who stole more than $3500 worth of items ‘‘good luck’’ in turning his life around and setting an example for his son.

Andrew John Marr’s son and mother-in-law, who was a victim of his offending, were in the gallery at the Timaru District Court on Thursday to support him, defence lawyer Kelly Beazley said.

Marr, 43, pleaded guilty to obtaining by deception and six counts of shoplifting when he appeared before Judge Peter Rollo.

‘‘You have to set an example for that young man and this is not it,’’ Judge Rollo told Marr.

‘‘Your responsibility is to pick up the pieces of your life and stay away from offending, stay away from this place [court].

‘‘You’re the only one who can do it, so good luck.’’

In a summary of facts presented to the court, police prosecutor Toaiva Hitila said Marr used his mother-in-law’s account at Repco Timaru on Heaton St to obtain $2609.06 worth of items on eight occasions between October and December 2019.

Judge Peter Rollo

‘‘The defendant used [woman’s name] as a reference name and did not have permission to obtain these items.

‘‘Only one item has since been recovered.’’

Marr kicked off a string of thefts from The Warehouse on the corner of Victoria and Browne Sts, Timaru, when he stole a power bank about 11am on December 17, 2019.

He took the item off the shelf in the entertainment section, gathered some clothes in the clothing section, and went into the fitting room.

‘‘The defendant took the power bank out of its packaging and stored it in a bag he was carrying. He left the packaging in the fitting room.

‘‘He returned the clothing and left the store through the main door without going through the checkout, and without making any attempt to pay for the power bank.’’

He repeated the ruse to steal three Bluetooth speakers from the department store on December 20, 21, and 24.

About 4.30pm on January 1, 2020, he stole a fourth Bluetooth speaker, two power banks, and a magnetic window mount.

The items stolen from The Warehouse were worth $804 in total.

Marr also stole a $270 pair of shoes from Rebel Sport on Stafford St about 9.48am on February 4, 2020.

He took the Asics Gel Kayanos from the back isle of the store’s shoe section, placed them in a brown satchel, and left.

‘‘In explanation, the defendant stated he stole them as he had no shoes.’’

Judge Rollo remanded Marr on bail for sentencing on August 20, and ordered a pre-sentence report with appendices.

Marr pleaded not guilty to a further charge of burglary and elected a judge alone trial, for which Judge Rollo set a case review hearing date of August 4.

Your responsibility is to pick up the pieces of your life and stay away from offending, stay away from this place [court].