Drug rehab ordered for brazen shoplifter
A brazen and recidivist shoplifter will serve his nine months home detention sentence in drug and alcohol rehab at Odyssey House, after his sentencing in the Christchurch District Court today.
Judge Michael Crosbie said James Andrew Dumper went to local supermarkets, a liquor store, and The Warehouse and brazenly stole $6554 worth of goods over eight days, sometimes simply loading trolleys and pushing them out of stores.
Defence counsel Tim Fournier said the sentence recommended by the probation service was designed for rehabilitation over and above punishment.
He said Dumper had a recidivist approach to this offending, and when in crisis resorted to this known behaviour. Two of the offences were committed while he was on bail.
Judge Crosbie said Dumper had 26 previous dishonesty offences, and a history of alcohol and drug dependency.
He said he knew addictions were hard, and getting through programmes was hard, but Dumper had had more attendances at them than most people.
He told Dumper he had to break the cycle, and he was lucky Odyssey house was still prepared to support him.
He warned Dumper that if he breached the nine-month sentence or did not abide by the rules, he would be remanded in custody without bail and then be re-sentenced.
He ordered Dumper pay $4080 reparation. Some of the stolen items had been recovered.
Category: News
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