Boxer avoids theft conviction

Commonwealth Games welterweight boxer Joseph Blackbourn has avoided being hit by a conviction for his part in the theft and torching of a car.

In a reserved decision in Lower Hutt District Court, Judge John Walker discharged Blackbourn, 20, without conviction.

He was sentenced on Friday to 100 hours' community work, and ordered to pay $300 in reparations.

A conviction would have ended Blackbourn's international career, as he would not be able to attend overseas training camps and competitions, Judge Walker said.

He noted Blackbourn, who had no previous convictions, had survived a violent and abusive upbringing to forge an international boxing career.

Blackbourn was one of four to take a car from a party in October last year, crash it beside the river and set it on fire to cover up what they had done.

Two others -- one who had taken the keys to the car, the other who had set fire to it -- had been sentenced to 150 hours community service and $300 reparations costs.

Blackbourn, who represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne this year, sat in the back seat of the stolen Honda.

- NZPA