A Christchurch burglar was told he should be “thoroughly ashamed” not just of his house break-ins but of the mess he left behind.
Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave said the victim impact reports from the 12 householders across the city spoke of “real feelings of invasion and personal insecurity”.
They also told of the upset caused by the mess that Noel Evon Stepanicic and his co-offenders left behind. He should be thoroughly ashamed of that, the judge said.
Stepanicic, 52, was appearing for sentencing after pleading guilty to 12 home burglaries and the theft of a car.
Defence counsel Phillip Allan said Stepanicic had engaged in programmes in prison, including mentoring other prisoners, and his recent drug test had come back “clear”.
“That hopefully bodes well for his future,” said Mr Allan.
Judge Neave noted Stepanicic had made real efforts in prison to obtain qualifications that would let him earn a legitimate living after his release from prison. “That suggests you have turned a corner.”
He jailed Stepanicic for three years, but said it was unrealistic to order him to pay reparations because of his financial situation, and because of issues about the number of burglars and the value of the losses.
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