Jewel thief admits crime spree
A thief has admitted a spree that netted more than $200,000 worth of jewels and other valuables from homes across Nelson, Tasman, and Blenheim.
Christopher Payne, 39, pleaded guilty to 19 charges of burglary the Nelson District Court on Monday, appearing by audiovisual link from Christchurch Prison.
Payne was arrested on May 28 along with Daniel Taaffe, 36, after attempting to flee a rural property in Greymouth.
In July, Payne had pleaded not guilty to the charges and had elected trial by jury.
He also pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful taking and dangerous driving, while four other charges were withdrawn, including possession of a needle or syringe for cannabis and possession of utensils for methamphetamine.
Payne was understood to originally be from Christchurch but had been in Nelson as recently as late April, and police said they understood him to be ‘‘transient’’.
Judge David Ruth remanded Payne in custody for sentencing on February 18 next year.
Nelson Bays police Sergeant but Dale Smith, from the Tactical Crime Unit, had earlier said the burglaries had taken place from the start of the year up until the end of April.
The break-ins involved more than $200,000 worth of jewellery and property, mainly from the Nelson Bays area, from Picton and also Blenheim. Smith said residential homes had been targeted, and a considerable amount of property had been taken.
He said the stolen jewellery included items of ‘‘great sentimental value, some of which had belonged to victims’ deceased family members’’.
‘‘The burglaries have had a huge impact on people who have lost items they may never see again, and victims have been appreciative of the work done by police.’’