20 years old and 79 convictions

A judge told a 20-year-old Tauranga man who had racked up 79 convictions that he had the worst criminal record for someone his age he had possibly seen in over 30 years.

Damon Best appeared in Tauranga District Court this week after he was nabbed with a loaded .22 rifle plus ammunition, and stolen items including a laptop and car stereo.

The items were found at Best's home when police executed search warrants at his property between May 27 and June 27. He has never held a firearms licence.

Best's lawyer Viv Winiata said his client acknowledged he had an unenviable record for someone of his age.

Winiata said given Best's background and upbringing - his father had been a gang member - and his exposure to the criminal fraternity at a young age, this was probably not surprising.

Winiata urged Judge Thomas Ingram to adopt the recommendation made by the probation officer and grant him home detention to live at his mother's address.

Best's offending had dramatically slowed in recent times, and he had complied with his bail conditions, which included a curfew during the remand.

Judge Ingram told Best he had a horrific criminal record for someone his age, with 79 prior convictions including two for receiving and 14 others for general dishonesty offences.

The judge said if there had been any evidence the rifle had been used in a crime, Best would have been going to jail.

However, Judge Ingram said he was prepared to give Best an opportunity to get the rehabilitative help he needed.