KEY POINTS:
A man appearing for sentence on a raft of burglary, theft and receiving charges claimed to have absolutely no memory of the three-month offending spree, Tauranga District Court was told today.
Murray Reece Whiting, 45, a Katikati sickness beneficiary, had "serious difficulties" with his memory and issues with depression, his lawyer David Bates told Judge Peter Rollo.
Although adamant he had no recollection of what had happened, Whiting changed his earlier not guilty pleas to guilty after hearing the overwhelming weight of evidence went against him.
Judge Rollo imposed a total of nine months home detention for 10 burglary and two receiving convictions and 250 hours community work on five theft charges.
He disqualified Whiting from driving for six months because he had used his car during some of the crimes.
The judge acknowledged the defendant, who was widowed several years ago, had suffered significantly from tragedy in his life.
However, he said the offending was sophisticated and to some degree premeditated.
According to police, between mid-January and mid-April this year the Tauranga area suffered a spate of burglaries and thefts.
Residential garden sheds were targeted and garden ornaments were taken from around homes at Papamoa, Welcome Bay, Maungatapu, Pyes Pa, Gate Pa, Bethlehem and Katikati.
The modus operandi was similar in about 30 reported incidents.
Officers searched Whiting's home and found a number of stolen goods, including a $28,000 ski boat with outboard motor and trailer, taken from Mt Maunganui in October last year.
The court heard how the defendant sometimes "just walked in" to properties. At other times, he climbed fences or took his Ford Falcon station wagon to remove stolen goods, using false number plates on the vehicle.
Among items stolen were several lawnmowers, chainsaws, a full five litre fuel tank, a water blaster and a barbecue, planter pots, statues and other garden ornaments.
Although some of the property was found at his house, Whiting claimed he and his partner had bought it at garage sales.
He insisted he could not remember carrying out any of the burglaries and thefts.
The judge ordered Whiting to pay reparation of $2885 at $40 a week for the stolen items that were not recovered.
- NZPA
