"I accept the defendant does have a disorder or illness, which has resulted in kleptomania," he said during sentencing.
The man was charged with two counts of theft, the first relating to the theft of a rifle bolt from a Rotorua store in 2010, the other relating to thefts of hunting, fishing and camping equipment from various stores between January 2004 and January 2012.
When the man stole the rifle bolt from a Rotorua store in September 2010 he was caught on the shop's security camera and was recognised as being a previous customer. However, his identity was unknown.
On January 8 this year, the man went back to the same shop and was recognised by staff at the store who pointed him out to an off-duty police officer.
The police officer followed the man out of the store and took note of his car registration.
A few days later police executed a search warrant at the man's house and found the stolen rifle bolt and hundreds of other stolen items.
Judge McGuire said many of the items were the same and several of them were still in the original packaging.
The man's lawyer, Harry Edward, told the court his client had a sickness and was unable to stop himself from stealing the items.
During sentencing the man stood in the dock and appeared to be distressed, struggling to stand.
Mr Edward requested the man's wife be allowed to stand next to him during the sentencing, which Judge McGuire allowed.
The police prosecutor said the man had been caught shoplifting on two previous occasions but had not been charged. On those occasions he had been ordered to pay for the items and was trespassed from the shops involved.
Police estimated the total worth of the goods the man stole could be closer to $100,000.
Judge McGuire said the man was receiving ongoing treatment for his illness but the issue could have been dealt with sooner by the man and his family.
"After eight years after the original offending, it is being caught that the matter is being addressed," the judge said.
"Your pre-sentence report states you have compulsive behaviour and signs of depression.
"Your counsel says community work is not an appropriate sentence for you and a monetary one is. I have to agree."
Name suppression for the man was lifted but Mr Edward said he planned to appeal that decision so Judge McGuire granted interim suppression until Friday April 6 to allow for an appeal to be lodged.
ABOUT KLEPTOMANIA
An impulse control disorder characterised by an inability to resist stealing items unnecessary for personal use or monetary value.
There may be preferred objects and environments where theft occurs.
Kleptomaniacs are often also chemically dependent or have a co-existing mood, anxiety, or eating disorder like depression, panic attacks, anorexia, bulimia or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Detecting kleptomania, even by significant others, is difficult and the disorder often goes undetected.
The cause is unknown, although it may have a genetic component and may be transmitted among first-degree relatives.
It is more common among females.
Treatment can involve therapy directed towards impulse control, as well as treating any accompanying mental disorder(s).
- Source: www.minddisorders.com
