Community work for man who stole tsunami donations

An Auckland man who stole donations intended for tsunami victims from a Rotorua video store said he did so because he needed food.

Rex Haeretawhiti Maney, 17, appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to a charge of theft on February 14.

He has been ordered to do 150 hours' community work.

Rotorua police prosecutor Aroha Cooper told the court Maney walked up to the counter at Video Ezy on Te Ngae Rd and removed a tsunami collection box.

He went to the adult section of the store, removed the money from the box, and left the building.

Staff reported the theft to police and estimated there was about $150 in the box.

Maney told police he took the box because he needed food. He thought it only contained $28.

Judge James Weir said the theft rated "fairly low on the list of decencies".

He sentenced Maney to 150 hours' community work for the theft and a charge of giving false details relating to a separate incident.

- NZPA