Dunedin District Court
THE defendant was just thoroughly dishonest, Judge Kevin Phillips said jailing a Dunedin man on convictions for burglary and receiving.
‘‘If he doesn’t realise he has to stop, he will get longer and longer sentences.’’
Richard John Steel (42), was before the Dunedin District Court yesterday having accepted a sentencing indication and admitted burgling MSR Engineering, on December 17; and receiving clothing and electronic items, to a value of $2000, on December 5.
On the burglary he was charged jointly with another.
Reviewing the facts, the judge said the two travelled, about 6.25am, to a Burnside complex which housed numerous light industrial businesses. Both donned gloves and gained entry to MSR by climbing a cyclone fence. They took about 30 automotive batteries and a coil of electrical wire and left.
The next day, Steel took the stolen property to a scrap metal dealer and received $383 for the items.
Judge Phillips said the offending was serious. He considered both crimes were premeditated.
In respect of the receiving offence, on December 5, Steel had immediately put the items for sale on Facebook.
Steel was sentenced to 18 months’ jail for burglary (with six months release conditions) and given a concurrent 12month term for receiving. He was also granted leave to apply for substitution of sentence (home detention) if a suitable address is found.
Other convictions
Alec Tuuaga Tuuaga (31), employed, of Dunedin, Crimes Act male assaults female offence (judge said Tuuaga had been drinking; argument with partner; Tuuaga left, returned 10 minutes later, apologised; angry when partner dismissed his apology; she holding their 1yearold child; Tuuaga pushed her with both hands causing her to stumble backwards and land on couch; Tuuaga then grabbed her about neck causing her momentary breathing difficulty; Tuuaga took child from her; she went outside to call police; Tuuaga locked her out), about 9.30pm, October 6, six months’ community detention (curfewed 7.30pm Fridays to 6am Mondays), 100 hours’ community work; drinkdriving (875mcg), Glen Rd, August 9, four months’ community detention (concurrent), 250 hours’ community work (concurrent), disqualified 15 months; careless driving, reparation $3200 ($40 a week by attachment order on wages), disqualified three months (concurrent); driving while forbidden, convicted and discharged. Judge Phillips said Tuuaga’s history showed no previous convictions for violence; also noted Tuuaga had two previous adultlevel drinkdrive convictions, and a youthlevel drinkdrive conviction — most recent drinkdrive matter in 2006.
Daniel Shaun WilsonMarsh (25), of Kaitangata, refusing blood specimen (driving in Kaitangata, about 8pm on March 1, stopped by police, showed signs of alcohol consumption, refused breathscreening test, agreed to accompany police to Balclutha police station then refused evidential breath test, refused to allow blood specimen to be taken; in explanation said on zero alcohol licence so decided to refuse every request), five months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm Fridays to 6am Mondays), 150 hours’ community work, disqualified indefinitely (zero alcohol licence when disqualification lifted), vehicle confiscated. WilsonMarsh had relevant previous, court heard. Counsel Noel Rayner said WilsonMarsh had been in custody ‘‘a month now . . . it has been a wakeup call for him’’.
Simon Grant Taylor (36), of Dunedin, disqualified driving, George St, about 1.20pm, December 13, four months’ community detention (curfewed 7pm Fridays to 6am Mondays), 120 hours’ community work, disqualified one year and one month (from September 29 when current ban ends), not to have interest in any motor vehicle for 12 months, ‘‘final warning’’; giving false details as to his identity, convicted and discharged. Five previous convictions for disqualified driving.
Korrei Porter Wetere (40), plasterer, of Outram, breaching supervision (failed to report), between October 27 and November 10, four months’ community detention (curfewed 6pm6am daily), nine months’ intensive supervision (with threemonthly judicial monitoring); breaching community work (failed to report), November 18, two months’ community detention (concurrent); supervision and community work cancelled, resentence on drinkdrive charge on which sentences given, three months’ community detention (concurrent), 200 hours’ community work.
Marc Weir Mitchell (33), labourer, of Port Chalmers, stealing work boots, phone charger and charge cable (total value $76), K Mart, March 27, two months’ jail (with six months’ release conditions), reparation $76; possessing cannabis (2.8g), 14 days’ jail (concurrent); stealing Tshirt and baseball cap (total value $28), The Warehouse, central Dunedin, March 2, two months’ jail (concurrent).
Anastasia Rakera Evelyn Pohio (30), of Port Chalmers, five shoplifting offences, all at Christchurch — zircon stud (value $149), Mitre 10 Mega, Papanui, August 11, 2017; 1520 chocolate bars (total value about $30), Z Energy, Shirley, December 9, 2016; chocolate ($12.02), New World, Bishopdale, November 18, 2016; makeup items ($60), The Warehouse, Northlands, November 14, 2016; shoes ($29.99), Number 1 Shoes, The Palms, October 28, 2016; five makeup packs ($112), The Warehouse, Eastgate Mall, October 24, 2016, 12 months’ intensive supervision (with threemonthly judicial monitoring and conditions including requirement to undergo treatment/counselling, including residential, for substance abuse); failing to attend court, at Christchurch on June 16 last year and Dunedin on March 13 this year, convicted and discharged.
Jason Andrew Rapson (38), painter, of Dunedin, threatening behaviour (victim, male known to Rapson, at associate’s address; for unknown reasons, Rapson approached, verbally abused victim from street then went on to property and threatened to smash his head in; Rapson aggressive and agitated; spoken to by police said he only swore at victim), Columba St, about 8pm, January 31, 80 hours’ community work; failing to attend court, February 2, convicted and discharged.