Two Bay men have narrowly avoided prison sentences after being found guilty of a home invasion knifepoint burglary in Mount Maunganui.
Cleveland Pearce, 18, of Gate Pa and Marlon Stanley Nicholas, 23, of Lower Kaimais were sentenced in Tauranga District Court yesterday, after being found guilty of one count of aggravated burglary at a jury trial in October last year.
Pearce received 10 months' home detention and 160 hours' community work.
Nicholas, who was also earlier convicted of further charges of burglary and common assault, was sentenced to 12 months' home detention and 320 hours' community work. His sentence also takes into account outstanding fines, which were remitted by Judge Louis Bidois.
The aggravated burglary charge related to knifepoint home invasion burglary at a Grenada St address on December 20, 2013, during which drugs and cash were demanded.