Home detention for issuing fake warrants of fitness
A former mechanic put on home detention for issuing illegal warrants of fitness has assured the Christchurch District Court that all the vehicles underwent proper inspections.
Judge Allan Roberts told racing cyclist Jeremy Burrell that his offending had undermined a system that was meant to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles were driven on the roads.
Burrell’s career as a mechanic at a Christchurch firm was already over when the prosecution began over him issuing 15 warrants using documents from his employer, and then entering them on the New Zealand Transport Agency website.
Defence counsel Sunny Teki-Clark said Burrell was now a full time student, working part time, and training as a racing cyclist up to 25 hours a week.
“He aims to be a top New Zealand cyclist,” Mr Teki-Clark said as he urged the judge not to impose a home detention sentence that would limit the training Burrell could do.
He said the financial return from Burrell issuing the warrants had been less than $500. He had committed the offence of dishonesty using documents to obtain money, because he had been put under considerable pressure from his peers.
When interviewed about the offending, Burrell had told police it was an “industry-wide” problem.
Judge Roberts said Burrell had issued the warrants outside work hours, deeming vehicles to have passed their inspections. He noted Burrell’s assurance that none of the vehicles had been unroadworthy.
He said it had been a gross breach of trust, for a tangible reward. His actions had undermined the integrity of the system.
He imposed four months of home detention with a direction that Burrell complete a problem solving course and any other counselling his probation officer required. He will also have to do 150 hours of community work.
Category: News
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