Big bill after offending ‘spree’
A “spree of offending” has led to a $4910 reparation bill for the owners of tools stolen and pawned, and repairs to a police patrol car.
In November Ben James Te Wera Kingi, 25, was with a group of drunk men who went into a building being restored and stole tools, which he then pawned.
In January, while on bail for the burglary charge, he was spotted by police driving a car after his driver’s licence had been suspended.
He didn’t stop for police and sped off, evading them in an 18 minute car chase through Christchurch. When he went into a cul-de-sac police parked across it, but he side-swiped the police car as he drove out.
Kingi then got a flat tyre and resisted police when they arrested him. They found cannabis in his car.
He was sentenced on charges of burglary, failing to stop for police, reckless driving, driving while suspended, drunk-driving, resisting police, and possession of cannabis.
Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish said it was a spree of offending which was out of character for Kingi.
She sentenced him to four months community detention with a night curfew, and nine months supervision to attend rehabilitation for alcohol and drug use as recommended by his parole officer.
She said he was to pay reparation of $2190 for the tools stolen, and $2000 towards the $4751 reparation the police were seeking for the damage to their car during the pursuit. He was also disqualified from driving for nine months.
Category: News
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