Woman burglar, arsonist collapses at sentencing
A woman sentenced to three years two months prison called out apologies to her family as she was led to the cells, collapsed in the hallway, then sobbed as she was helped to leave court.
Hinemoa Margaret Keen, 39, was sentenced on three charges of burglary, three of attempted burglary, arson, theft, and escaping custody.
Defence counsel Rupert Glover said Keen’s probation officer distressed her so much she asked a chaplain to sit in on the interview.
He said Keen’s background was distressing, but she had a job which was still open to her if she was granted home detention.
Keen had done a lot of good in the community but had then started drinking again, he said.
Judge Alistair Garland said Keen targeted the Golden Mile Motel and entered, or attempted to enter units there.
When she found they were occupied she gave an excuse and left, stealing cash and property on her way out, and in an unoccupied unit she stole a laptop.
On October 20, she stole a box of beer from a campervan, and then by acting recklessly set fire to the campervan.
He said Keen’s pre-sentence report said she relapsed into binge drinking, and was unable to say why she offended in a serious way.
It said she was a high risk of re-offending and took little responsibility for it.
Judge Garland said Keen had 174 convictions for dishonesty including burglary, receiving, wilful damage, and thefts.
He said the $27,000 campervan was a write-off. The owner also lost $2000 worth of property, and $5500 damage was done to his car parked next to it.
He said there was always a risk of danger, and safety for others in arson cases, and the offending happened during the course of another crime.
The burglaries were premeditated, and the value of the property stolen was $2080, he said.
While on bail for this offending Keen entered the Challenge Service Station in Bluff and helped herself to $160 cash from the unattended counter.
The police found her but while being transported to the police station she told them of a health problem and they took her to hospital, where she ran away from them.
He sentenced her to prison, then had to adjourn the court while she was attended to and taken to the cells after her collapse.
Category: Focus
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