$56,000 of fines wiped

A young Westport man had $56,000 of unpaid fines wiped after a judge said he had no hope of paying.

Monday Wihongi, 19, appeared in the Westport District Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to smashing a window at Cunningham's Coaches in Westport on February 10.

Judge Noel Walsh noted that he owed almost $56,000 in outstanding fines, and had no job and no apparent source of income. He had refused to seek help from Work and Income.

"One can only speculate how he pays rent and for alcohol and drugs."

The judge said it was with trepidation that he decided to wipe the slate.

He also noted that he had sent Wihongi to prison for a short period last year for drink-driving and breaching community work.

He said nothing would change unless Wihongi addressed his drug and alcohol problems.

Wihongi said he smoked three or four joints a day and had been using cannabis since he was 10 or 11.

He was sentenced to 80 hours' community work and ordered to pay reparation of $51.18 for the window.

- NZPA