Compulsive burglar jailed for nearly three years

A recidivist burglar has been jailed in Whangarei.

A recidivist burglar who pleaded guilty to a string of burglary and driving charges has been sentenced to nearly three years in jail.

Richard Baker, 41, appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court on 13 charges of burglary, four of theft, three of driving while disqualified, two of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, two of unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle, two of attempting to unlawfully take a motor vehicle and one of being unlawfully in a building.

The police summary of facts shows Baker was indefinitely disqualified by Kaikohe District Court in August 2010 from holding and obtaining a driver's licence.

Between January 9 and January 15 last year, he committed a series of offences in Hihi, Rangiputa and Whatuwhiwhi.

On November 10, 2012, he broke into a vehicle parked at Coopers Beach and drove it to Kaitaia where he removed items including car seats. On January 6 last year, he entered three vehicles and a boat and removed a large amount of property from them. Two days later, he broke into a shed in Karikari Peninsula and stole a box with snorkelling equipment and 25 litres of petrol.

Baker committed further burglaries on homes and boats in the area as well as in Hihi and removed expensive items.

In March 2011, Baker was again indefinitely disqualified from driving by Kaitaia District Court. In January 2014, he fled from police at a checkpoint on Allen Bell Dr in Kaitaia. Police followed him and located the vehicle on Terry Crescent while Baker hid behind a fence and bush. A resident told police Baker had offered her $20 to hide him because he was on the run.

Judge McDonald sentenced him for two years and nine months. No order for reparation was made.