Teenager warned about relationship with offender
An 18-year-old woman has been warned not to let her relationship with a serious offender – now serving a 25-month jail term – drag her “down the drain”.
The woman, Danielle Lesley Marie Pearce, was a backseat passenger in an unlawfully taken car when it became involved in what counsel Kiran Paima described as a “horrifying” police chase.
On the night of the chase, that car and another one taken by brothers Hamish Alex McDonald, 25, and Terrance McDonald, 18, were involved in ram raid burglaries of two service stations and a dairy near New Brighton.
Hamish McDonald is Pearce’s partner and she plans to continue the relationship in spite of his jailing in September. Her Christchurch District Court sentencing today was told that Pearce had been told by her mother that the relationship would only be possible if he adopted a “pro-social” life.
After the night’s carnage, Pearce was found by police in one of the cars while her partner was inside the dairy. She pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully getting into a vehicle.
“It seems you really were keeping bad company,” said Judge Bridget Mackintosh. Her partner was heavily involved in more serious aspects of the offending.
“You seem to be committed to that relationship,” said the judge. “You will have to make decisions based on his future behaviour. You certainly don’t want to be carried down the drain by him. You need to chose your friends and associates carefully.”
Mr Paima said the offending had attracted media attention and Pearce’s name now appeared on Internet searches in relation to the incident. That could affect her future, while she studied for an early childhood teaching certificate.
Judge Mackintosh said Pearce had a positive outlook and realised she had been stupid. She imposed a term of 80 hours of community work, including a basic living skills course if necessary.
Terrance McDonald is due to be sentenced on December 18 after admitting burglary of the premises that were ram-raided, unlawfully taking two cars, dangerous driving, and failing to stop for the police.
Category: Focus
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