Accepting stolen parts 'fatal mistake'

Jordan Craig Pratt, 20, was sentenced to 200 hours' community work and ordered to pay reparation of $1000 after admitting a charge of receiving stolen car parts.

Jordan Craig Pratt made a "fatal mistake accepting stolen property", his lawyer says.

Appearing in the Masterton District Court before Judge Jan Kelly, the 20-year-old pleaded guilty to receiving parts from a stolen van.

Judge Kelly told him it was a serious charge.

"If there were no receivers there wouldn't be any burglars," she said.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Lawrence said police had gone to Pratt's home looking for someone else and discovered a Bongo van being broken down and in the process of being re-sprayed. Police also found number plates and other car parts belonging to a Ford van and tools.

Pratt told police he bought the items from an associate in Featherston and knew they had been stolen.

He had sanded off identifying numbers from the chassis and was putting the parts, including seats, in his own van, Ms Lawrence said.

Lawyer Frank Minehan said his client had been "up front and honest" with police.

Judge Kelly sentenced Pratt to 200 hours' community work and ordered him to pay reparation of $1000.