Man in court over theft of Starship Foundation charity box

The man appeared in the Porirua District Court today on two charges of shoplifting. Photo / File

A man who stole a Starship Foundation charity box has been ordered to undergo compulsory mental health treatment.

Jason Hakaraia Jacobs, 43, appeared in the Porirua District Court today on two charges of shoplifting, and five other charges, including illegally having a knife in a public place, and unauthorised possession of Ritalin, Valium and a syringe.

Defence lawyer Sonia Thistoll said Jacobs, of Titahi Bay, had a mental illness but his health had improved in custody.

"When he first came into court he was not in good shape but he seems to be better today."

Ms Thistoll said Jacobs should undergo mental health treatment, rather than an electronically monitored sentence.

The court heard Jacobs declined to meet with a psychiatrist when he was being held in custody for a month.

Judge John Walker acknowledged Jacobs' early guilty plea and sentenced him to 80 hours of community work.

He was also required to undergo compulsory mental health treatment and ordered to pay reparation totalling $221.68.

The Starship Foundation raises funds for the eponymous children's hospital.