KEY POINTS:
An unemployed security guard who had fallen on tough times broke into his cousin's home and sold the goods he stole, Tauranga District Court was told today.
Michael James Simon, 27, pleaded guilty before Judge Christopher Harding, who sentenced him to 120 hours' community work.
"This was not only a burglary, but you burgled your extended whanau who have been traumatised by all this," Judge Harding said.
"You stole goods belonging to a 10-year-old who cannot understand why his uncle has picked on him."
The family had since moved from the Pyes Pa address, said Judge Harding, ordering Simon to pay them $635 reparation at $40 a week.
"Your explanation of financial hardship is just that - it is not an excuse."
Prosecutor Sergeant Sean Brennan told the court the defendant called into his cousin's home on December 4 intending to ask her for a loan to pay his rent because he had been laid off.
After entering through an insecure ranch-slider he waited for about half an hour before taking an Xbox controller and four games, a DVD and an MP3 player with the intention of selling them.
He was seen leaving the address and his cousin recognised the description given to her. She texted him about breaking into her home, Sergeant Brennan said.
Simon handed himself in to the Mt Maunganui police station and admitted disposing of all the stolen items.
He has since found work as a labourer.
- NZPA
