Home detention for home invasion
A man who carried out an armed burglary because he said he felt “ripped off” by the intended victim has been sentenced to home detention for seven months.
Jack Norris, a 27-year-old labourer, had threatened to shoot the victim during the incident at a Surrey Street address in Linwood last June, and had threatened to slit the throat of a dog at the address.
He had gone to the address with four other people, and three were later charged with aggravated burglary. One of them, 35-year-old Corey William Jackson, a painter, was jailed for a year – a sentence that equated to the six months he had already been held in custody – after pleading guilty in January.
Norris also pleaded guilty and Christchurch District Court Judge Gary MacAskill today imposed the home detention sentence with special conditions that he not use alcohol or non-prescribed drugs, and that he be assessed and attend counselling for alcohol abuse and violence prevention as directed.
He will also have to carry out 200 hours of community work when a shoulder injury has healed, and repay $70 to the victim.
Defence counsel Paul Norcross reminded the judge that Norris had already served six weeks in custody while on remand, and eight months on electronically monitored bail. He said Norris had wanted to attend a restorative justice conference to apologise directly to the victim, but the offer had been declined.
He said Norris’ behaviour arose from associates and alcohol, and he had now broken away from all of that.
Judge MacAskill said five people had gone to the house about 8.45pm on June 24. One was carrying a screwdriver and Norris was holding an air pistol which was an imitation of a 9mm weapon.
He threatened the owner that he would slit his dog’s throat if it went near anybody.
In the incident that followed, one occupant hid in a wardrobe. Norris punched the victim in the face and demanded money, and told his associates to start taking items. He threatened to shoot the victim.
Someone managed to call the police who arrived quickly. Two of the intruders were arrested in the house, and Norris was found nearby. The imitation pistol was found near where he was seen.
Judge MacAskill said Norris was the principal offender in an incident that left the house occupants distressed and anxious.
He had a substantial record of offending including convictions for dishonesty and burglary, and jail sentences.
The court was told that Norris said he felt “ripped off” by the victim of the home invasion, but the reason was not explained.
The judge explained to Norris that if he breached his home detention sentence he faced a likely jail term.
Category: Focus
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