Burglar tackled by elderly club members 'humiliated'

An "incompetent" burglar who was tackled by elderly members of a petanque club would never again be able to hold his head up among his criminal peers, his lawyer told Christchurch District Court today.

Clinton Michael Dearman, 38, was in court for sentence after admitting charges of burglary and aggravated assault at Christchurch Petanque Club on December 11.

Dearman broke into the club and stacked goods on both floors before being challenged by club members who tackled and tied him up until police arrived.

Attempting to escape, Dearman lashed out -- punching an elderly club member with a heart condition in the throat. Police found a folding knife in Dearman's pocket.

At sentencing today, Dearman's lawyer, Michael Knowles, urged Judge Michael Crosbie to regard the publicity and humiliation his client had suffered as a result of media attention as a mitigating factor.

Dearman had been pictured in media hog-tied and surrounded by elderly club members while they waited for police to arrive.

Mr Knowles said the incident had been embarrassing for Dearman's mother, who had dealings with the public, and the publicity had forced Dearman's partner to leave town.

He submitted the effect of publicity for Dearman's "incompetent daylight" burglary should be part of any penalty.

If Dearman had taken a moment to think about his actions, Mr Knowles said, he would never have attempted to burgle a bowls club on a summer's morning.

Dearman's apprehension was perhaps, he said, a foregone conclusion.

Mr Knowles said a probation report indicated Dearman was taking longer than others to grow up.

Dearman had been the "laughing stock" of inmates at Christchurch Prison over the past week and would "never be able to hold his head up in criminal company again".

Judge Crosbie told Dearman he had little sympathy for his plight. He had brought the media attention on himself and that would be considered by some to be "just desserts".

The Judge said Dearman had complained to a probation officer that the media attention was unwarranted and that he wasn't a sex offender or a murderer.

"In short, if you don't want media attention, behave yourself," he said.

He jailed Dearman for two years and four months on the burglary charge and one year for the assault, the terms to be concurrent.

- NZPA