Repeat offender will be ‘toast’ in prison
File image. © Andrew Bardwell
An intellectually limited man has ended up on remand in prison where his defence counsel believes he will be “toast”.
The 26-year-old was due for sentence in the Christchurch District Court today but Judge Jane Farish delayed the sentencing and revoked his bail when she heard that 52 more cheque charges had been laid in the Ashburton court.
Some of that offending occurred after the man had been sentenced to community detention and intensive supervision on May 1, when he was told that any more arson or theft charges would mean he was brought back for resentence and a jail term.
Judge Farish learnt today that further offending happened during May and June.
The man’s name cannot be reported today because of the discussion of his criminal record while new charges are still before the court.
The man is a 12-time arsonist who lights fires when he is stressed or upset. The arrival of the fire engines somehow has a soothing effect on him.
He has ended up in prison once before and had a difficult time because of his “social naivety”. He was bullied and picked on, gave away his food, and was too frightened to sleep.
Defence counsel Tom Stevens said he had now met the man after difficulties trying to reach him. He told Judge Farish: “He is of very limited intellectual ability. He would be toast in prison.”
Judge Farish said she was aware of the man’s difficulties and made arrangements for the earlier psychiatric reports to be made available to Mr Stevens ahead of the new sentencing which is now set for December 18. Probation is also asking for him to be resentenced on that date on earlier charges.
The judge noted that the man’s continuing offending occurred while he was on home detention at his parent’s address. They had been unaware of the continuing offending.
The man faces sentence and resentence on a long list of charges of obtaining by deception, theft, dishonestly using a document, and arson.
The new cheque charges from Ashburton may also be resolved in time to be dealt with at that sentencing.
Judge Farish said she could no longer allow him to remain on bail in the community, after the warning she gave him at his last sentencing in May.
Category: Focus
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