Repeat offender ‘most at home in prison’
A prolific burglar who says he feels most at home in prison has been sent back to jail, despite asking for a stint in rehab.
Edward Charles Davis, 30, was caught rifling through two Blenheim houses in January, taking iPhones from one couple’s bedside tables while they slept.
The break-ins led to Davis’ 16th and 17th burglary convictions.
Davis’ lawyer Rob Harrison asked for sentencing to be delayed on Monday until he could secure a place in rehab, but Judge Patrick Treston said Davis should serve time in prison first.
Davis was being sentenced after he tried to break into four houses on McLauchlan St in Blenheim.
The first house he tried was locked, and someone inside heard Davis trying to get in and shouted, scaring him away. But Davis wandered next door to find the property unlocked. He went into the master bedroom and took two iPhone 7s and bank cards.
He managed to get inside two vehicles at a neighbouring property and took bank cards from each, before entering the house. Davis took laptops and cords, shoving them in a fabric bag he found.
Police found Davis shortly afterwards hiding in some bushes a few blocks away. The stolen property was all returned.
Davis admitted two counts of burglary, two of entering an enclosed yard, two of interfering with a vehicle, and one of breaching release conditions in January. He appeared in custody for sentencing by audio visual link at the Blenheim District Court on Monday.
Davis had 13 previous sentence breaches, 15 previous burglary convictions, and convictions for traffic, theft, drug and violent offending.
Harrison said Davis wanted to go to residential rehabilitation centre Moana House in Dunedin, but there were no positions available until March.
Davis had a genuine motivation to complete rehabilitation because of his children, Harrison said.
He also demonstrated a sense of remorse, saying he did not usually burgle residential properties and he understood how his victims must have felt, Harrison said.
Judge Treston said he was not convinced.
‘‘You have said, somewhat disturbingly, you feel most at home in prison ... Your list of previous convictions again makes for disturbing reading.
‘‘I am not persuaded that it is appropriate to release you to Moana House, even if there was a place available. Ultimately, the parole board can make that decision. It is my view a sentence must be served first.’’
He sentenced Davis to two years and five months’ imprisonment.