Guest admits stealing gifts

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A mean-spirited Tauranga man who stole three Christmas presents from under a tree while attending a barbecue in Bethlehem this month told police he thought it was a funny idea at the time.

Jeremy Van Der Woulde, 20, a labourer, appeared in the Tauranga District Court and pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, which has a maximum sentence of three months' imprisonment.

The court was told Van Der Woulde stole the presents from under a tree at an address in Rothesay Lane on the evening of December 9, after going along to the barbecue with people he knew.

After he put the presents in an associate's vehicle, the group left.

While travelling into town, Van Der Woulde opened the gifts and, when he found they were all home-made, tossed them out the window.

He told police he thought his actions were funny at the time.

Duty solicitor David Weaver told community magistrate Robyn Paterson that Van Der Woulde had been drinking but did not offer that as an excuse.

Van Der Woulde accepted that what he did was wrong and that his behaviour was irresponsible. He was remorseful and regretted his actions, Mr Weaver said.

He was prepared to pay the $150 reparation in cash immediately.

Mrs Paterson made a sheepish-looking Van Der Woulde go to the bank and, on his return, he confirmed that the money had been paid to the court.

She said she believed he was remorseful and intended never doing anything like that again but her main concern was to ensure the victim got her $150 that day, because she would need it at this time of year.

"I have no doubt the victim was absolutely blown away by what happened, so make sure you apologise to her personally, or sending a letter would be good," she said.

She fined Van Der Woulde $500, plus $132.89 court costs.

- APN