EDITORIAL: When the boot's on other foot

THERE are times in a courtroom when one can be thankful for small blessings.
Such was the case in Napier District Court yesterday when a small number of victims gathered to relive the horrors of events two years ago, when they got home from work and found their homes variously trashed and stripped of almost anything of value, both monetary, and personal.
That being the start of a long road, on which the type of function carried out by Judge Tony Adeane on behalf of the public, is perceived by some as the end of the matter.
A couple, who have two kids, are in jail as substantial benefactors - goods from 27 burglaries were found in their home.
The reality, though, is that this is not the end of the road for the victims, who despite the commendable and lauded work of police and victim advisers and supporters, can rely only on a variation of qualities to get them through.
Back to getting decent zeds each night, not waking every time the house creaks in the wind, or some other sound is simply imagined.
An added imposition for most of the victims in the latest, is that no one has owned up for doing the burglaries. As little as it may seem at times, there is something relieving and empowering about having an offender cough, and, at least, say: "I'm sorry."
At least it starts a process, and offenders who have any guts at all may some day be able to say they actually contributed to society, by turning a corner.
A good many enter homes with no comprehension of the consequences of the offending, nothing other than they've got their greedy mitts on the goodies.
It's a bolt from the blue to realise if the boot was on the other foot, they wouldn't accept it, either.
So, why do burglars and receivers impose themselves in ways which they might not even condone, when they think about it?
We could, all of us, think about it.