‘Pillow case burglar’ goes to jail
Christchurch’s “pillow case burglar” has been jailed for five years for a series of raids on quake-abandoned houses.
Jason Edward Ormsby, a 38-year-old with a long history of offending, drug addiction, and jail time, faced sentencing in the Christchurch District Court on 15 charges of burglary, five of receiving stolen property, possession of cannabis, possession of equipment for drug taking, and driving while his licence was suspended.
He had admitted all charges, but some of the burglary guilty pleas were put in virtually at the start of a jury trial.
Many of the burglary victims will now get some of their property back because much of it was found at his home when the unemployed Addington man was arrested. Judge Paul Kellar made an order for the return of the property that the police have available.
Some of it was jewellery with huge sentimental value. The judge told of one woman aged 91, a widow who lived independently, who was upset about the loss of her engagement ring and her husband’s watch. She suddenly became worried about her safety after Ormsby’s raid, and she has since died.
Defence counsel Bridget Ayrey said Ormsby had “co-operated responsibly” and had made concessions so that matters relating to the stolen property could be resolved at sentencing.
Judge Kellar said that between July 2010 and May 2011, Ormsby had carried out house burglaries in Phillipstown, Addington, Hoon Hay, Spreydon, and Somerfield. Many of the houses had been abandoned after the quake by owners who could not stay at homes without electricity and water supply.
Ormsby’s method was to prise open a window at the side or rear of the houses. Once inside, he would take a pillow case, presumably to load up with the items he was stealing. He targeted laptop computers, electronic gear, and jewellery.
Judge Kellar said that Ormsby had also “mean spiritedly” taken medals, but many have been recovered since his police interview. Some were then on their way to the North Island and more were recovered at dealers’ and second-hand shops.
He told Ormsby: “Protection of the community from you and other recidivist burglars is one of my key objectives.”
He said Ormsby clearly had serious drug addiction issues which he had battled for many years. He had 79 previous convictions, including 27 for burglary and 12 for receiving stolen property.
He said Orsmby’s co-operation had “only gone so far” and his guilty pleas had been put in late.
He imposed a series of concurrent jail terms totalling five years and a six-month driving disqualification.
Category: Focus
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