Meth gambler almost lost ‘it all’

A Titahi Bay man who ‘‘had it all’’ lost everything after a methamphetamine and gambling addiction led to him stealing more than $144,000.

Between October 2013 and January this year, Michael Craig Kavarnos, 27, broke into numerous commercial buildings in the region, stole petrol and received stolen number plates to use on his vehicle during the crimes.

But he was a different man when he appeared before Judge Bill Hastings in Porirua District Court last week.

Kavarnos had completed drug and alcohol and gambling help programmes after he appeared in court earlier this year.

‘‘Now you are positively glowing because you have turned your life around,’’ Judge Hastings said.

‘‘The measure of a man is the extent to which he can learn from his mistakes instead of simply wallowing in them.’’

Kavarnos pleaded guilty to eight charges of burglary and four of receiving stolen property.

All up Kavarnos stole $144,820 from a number of commercial buildings, including the Dog Box in Porirua and Yoobee Apple store in Wellington.

Kavarnos had been caught on CCTV. At Yoobee he left a headtorch behind which his DNA was found on.

Kavarnos’ lawyer Peter Ross said his client had been like a puppet on a string, used by other people.

Hastings convicted Kavarnos and sentenced him to nine months’ home detention.

He also ordered Kavarnos to repay $40,000.