Farm raider stole $1100 worth of fuel

CONVICTED: Christopher James Smith, 26, stole 540 litres of fuel from South Wairarapa farmers.

A 26-year-old former farm worker who stole 500 litres of petrol, planning to selling it on to his friends, has been convicted.

Christopher James Smith appeared in Masterton District Court last week on charges of theft, assault, breach of community detention and two counts of wilful damage.

Smith had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing 40 litres of diesel from a Pirinoa farmer, who he was angry at for firing him, and was sentenced to three months' community detention.

He was caught red-handed by the farmer after he triggered a security alarm on September 6. He was nabbed 100m away with two 20-litre containers full of diesel in the back of his ute.

Smith then stole 500 litres of petrol from a South Wairarapa dairy farmer who he knew, on September 14.

Judge Gerard Lynch said Smith went to the dairy farm and stole three drums of petrol worth $1100, planning to sell it on to friends.

He convicted him of theft, assault, breaching community detention, and two wilful damage charges.

The assault charge related to an altercation with his ex-partner.

Judge Lynch said Smith had an issue with his ex-partner's new boyfriend and went to see her to "sort it out".

"You ended up pushing her and threatened her with your fist."

She suffered bruising to her shoulder and according to the victim impact statement, had been "worn down" by his actions.

After assaulting her, he left, smashing a pot plant on the way out.

The second charge of wilful damage related to an incident when he cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet.

Judge Lynch said Smith felt "under threat" and cut off the bracelet in order to bring security to his home.

He sentenced Smith to five months' community detention on each charge and nine months' supervision.

He was also ordered to pay reparations of $500 to cover the insurance excess for the theft of the fuel and $45 for the pot plant.

Judge Lynch did not order reparations for the bracelet, which was recovered, due to a lack of information on how much it would cost to repair. He also ordered Smith to undertake alcohol and drug treatment if directed by probation.