Man admits mugging tourist
A man who took part in mugging a Turkish tourist in the sand dunes at New Brighton has been jailed for 22 months.
However, John Smitheram, 22, did not go into custody in his sentencing at the Christchurch District Court because he already been held for more than a year in prison on remand – more than the time he would be expected to serve.
He admitted being one of a group of three who robbed the tourist on October 13, 2015, but the judge was told he had played a lesser role than the other two. The other two have pleaded not guilty and are due to have legal arguments heard in March ahead of a trial.
The Crown said Smitheram’s group were at New Brighton Mall about 7pm, loitering outside the fish statue. They spoke to the Turkish man as he walked past and asked whether he would like to buy some drugs or go somewhere where they could all have drugs.
He declined the offer, but stayed because he wanted someone to hang out with. He was in Christchurch on a working holiday.
The four then walked to the beach, where the Crown says one of the others pushed the victim over and placed him in a choker hold until he was unable to breathe.
Smitheram and the third alleged offender then kicked the victim seven or eight times in the head and body, and removed his wallet from his pocket and took $165 cash.
When the victim got away, one of the others ran after him, tackled him, and took his cellphone.
The Turkish man received cuts and grazes to his knees and hands, and had a bleeding nose, a sore tooth, and a lump on his head.
Judge Kellar read Smitheram a first strike warning under the system that imposes heavier penalties on repeat violent offenders.
He jailed him for 22 months with special release conditions to take alcohol assessment and counselling as directed, and ordered him to pay a $388 share of the reparations for the victim’s losses.
Category: News
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