A Northland man has pleaded guilty towards the conclusion of his judge-alone trial to stealing beehive boxes and receiving stolen beehives.
Justin Mathew Howes, 25, of Titoki, entered guilty pleas yesterday morning in the Whangarei District Court where his judge-alone trial started on Monday.
Howes admitted one charge of theft of three nucleus boxes that belonged to Wellsford beekeeper Sylvain Bille who said in his evidence the boxes were worth $1000.
The theft, Mr Bille told the court, was quick and he did not notice any vehicle tracks on his property.
Howes also pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of receiving 12 hives owned by Northland beekeeper Paul Whitehead. The original charge was theft of beehives.