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It was a burglary that paid tribute to Mission Impossible, but it all went wrong for Andrew Howse, who hobbled into Napier District Court on crutches.
Howse pleaded guilty to a break-in at McClurgs Jewellery and Watchmakers in April last year and will be sentenced with co-offender Rikki Ngatai-Check on June 6.
The court was told how the pair entered the jewellers through the roof of Ocean Boulevard Mall, removing a large skylight, before Howse shimmied 7m down a rope into the shop.
He then took a sledgehammer and repeatedly whacked a display case full of watches until it smashed.
Howse reached in and grabbed more than $5000 worth of watches.
Getting back up the rope proved more difficult than getting down for Howse, the court heard, and he fell - breaking his leg.
Police apprehended the 35-year-old a short time later limping around in the mall.
The unemployed man was remanded on bail so he could visit an orthopaedic surgeon and continue to care for his son, of whom he has sole care.
Another offender was in Napier District Court on Wednesday for stealing from the McClurgs, but this time it was a family friend in the dock.
Caleb Knauf admitted taking items valued at $7000 from the McClurgs' home. He was left in the house because he was a friend of the McClurgs' son who trusted him, prosecutor John Ashfield told the court.
Mr Ashfield said the 17-year-old admitted the theft, saying he did it out of spite and to get back at his friend.
He was sentenced to pay $300 in reparation and to carry out 100 hours' community work.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
