Hardened thief stole from Key mansion

The diplomatic protection squad now guards John Key's home in Parnell, but its size poses security problems. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The man who broke into John Key's multimillion-dollar mansion is a professional thief with nearly 170 convictions who broke into a string of homes across Auckland.

John Anthony Clark was yesterday sentenced to five years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to 20 theft and seven receiving charges.

Clark, 37, is a professional burglar with 166 convictions, 54 for burglary, who stole to feed his P addiction, the Auckland District Court heard.

He targeted affluent Auckland suburbs and took at least $100,000 worth of property over a six-month spree, said Crown prosecutor Ben Finn.

One of those was Mr Key's $7 million Parnell home. Between 6.58pm and 8.05pm on July 7, 2007, while the Key family were on holiday in Hawaii, Clark scaled the 2m wall surrounding the St Stephens Ave property and jemmied open a kitchen window.

He stole watches, a large amount of jewellery, an iPod, a handycam, a jewellery box, house keys and clothing belonging to Mr Key and his wife, Bronagh.

Clark was unaware the burgled home belonged to Mr Key, now the Prime Minister but then the National Party leader.

Clark burgled 20 homes across Auckland - taking cars, jewellery, watches, cameras, cellphones, a 42-inch plasma TV, computers, iPods, hunting knives and a Spitfire model plane - before police caught him.

He even stole an extendable police baton, handcuffs and a Glock pistol holster from an officer in the Mt Wellington burglary squad.

His DNA was left behind in three homes: on a juice bottle, Gucci sunglasses and a hat. He also left a palm print on a stolen Ducati motorcycle.

He was arrested in August 2007 and has spent nearly two years in custody.

Judge Nicola Mathers decided against making a reparation order for the $15,000 in stolen property not covered by insurance, as Clark could not pay it. She encouraged his family, who were present in court, to support him when he is released. His father, Jim Clark, said an addiction to methamphetamine was to blame.

"P is the problem. He's actually a really nice guy."

Judge Mathers agreed methamphetamine was a key driver of crime, but said she doubted Clark's victims agreed he was a "nice guy".

A repeat of Clark's brazen burglary of Mr Key's home is unlikely now that he is the Prime Minister.

Members of the diplomatic protection squad are always present when he is home, but the size of the property has caused security problems.

The mansion sprawls over 0.2ha and has a pool, tennis court, spa, marble floors and seven living areas.

Security staff were based in a campervan parked in the driveway but have now moved into the pool house.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister declined to comment.

When Helen Clark was PM, the squad rented the home next to hers in Mt Eden, but doing the same in swanky Parnell would be too expensive.

JOHN ANTHONY CLARK

* 37 years old.
* 166 convictions, 54 for burglary.
* Burgled John Key and 19 others.
* Stole cars, jewellery, watches, cameras, cellphones, plasma TV, computers, iPods, a Spitfire model plane - even a police baton, handcuffs and a gun holster from an officer in the Mt Wellington burglary squad.
* Sentenced to 5 years and 3 months in prison.