KEY POINTS:
A would-be dairy robber's surprise confession -- police didn't know the crime had been committed -- has earned him an 18-month jail term but permission to apply for home detention.
Johnathan Shaun Soper, a 21-year-old freezing worker, was sentenced in Christchurch District Court after pleading guilty to three charges relating to the October 11 incident.
Defence counsel Gerard Lynch said there was no doubt Soper had gone to the store to rob it.
He had panicked when he saw the proprietor and left through the rear of the building, pushing over the Asian proprietor and his 82-year-old father on the way.
The victims had never complained, but Soper's conscience got the better of him and he turned himself in to the Christchurch Central Police Station in February.
He admitted charges of entering the building with intent to commit a crime, and assaulting both men with intent to get away.
Judge Colin Doherty said the crime had been premeditated because Soper had taken a large kitchen knife, and had disguised himself with a beanie hat, bandanna and reflective sunglasses.
He said there had to be element of deterrence for the serious offending, but there ought to be some reward for Soper's honesty in confessing.
He jailed him for 18 months, allowed him to apply for home detention, and ordered him to undertake treatment or counselling as directed by the probation officer.
Since the offence, Soper has declared himself bankrupt. Judge Doherty also ordered him to undergo counselling by budgetary advisers.
- NZPA
