May 15, 2013

City-wide house burglaries admitted

By Anne Clarkson. A 34-year-old man has admitted committing 22 house burglaries across Christchurch over an eight month period.

Scott Kevin McGuinness, of Aranui, pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court to the charges after he received a sentencing indication from Judge Tony Zohrab, who remanded him in custody to a Crown sentencing on July 3.

The police statement of facts said McGuinness would confirm no-one was home and enter the properties after jemmying a door or window.

The items taken included jewellery, electronics, cosmetics, bicycles and clothing, and usually he would steal a bag from the address to carry items away in.

Police had forensic evidence linking him to six of the burglaries, and when he was arrested he admitted the rest of them.

McGuinness said the burglaries, which he carried out between July and March, were to support his cannabis and methamphetamine habit. They included houses in the central city, Yaldhurst, Riccarton, St Albans, Papanui, Beckenham, Redwood, and Fendalton.

Judge Zohrab asked for a pre-sentence report, and an alcohol and drug assessment report ahead of sentencing.