Mother sentenced for handling stolen goods

A Masterton woman who sold two stolen water cylinders and a battery from a stolen golf buggy to a scrap dealer was sentenced to 40 hours' community work at Masterton District Court this week.

Natasha Stammers, 20, knowingly took the stolen items to a scrap dealer, Sergeant Garry Wilson, prosecuting, told the court.

He said Stammers "was aware the stuff was stolen but had turned a blind eye".

Between September 1 and October 30 a water cylinder valued at $500 was stolen from an address in Masterton.

A second water cylinder was stolen from another Masterton house in late-October.

Sergeant Wilson confirmed that police have since dealt with another individual in relation to a number of burglaries. He told Judge Bruce Davidson that on October 30 the woman was asked by an associate to remove a battery from a golf cart, which he had stolen, and bring it to a nearby scrap dealer. She subsequently sold the battery for $138 and received $208.60 for the water cylinders.

Lawyer Frank Minehan said his client had pleaded guilty straight away to handling stolen property and he also said Stammers had a 2-year-old child.

"She's obviously associating with undesirable people," he said. "She's instructed me that she could be dealt with by way of a fine."

Judge Davidson asked the defendant if she would be willing to do community work and she shook her head and said she did not believe she had time.

He directed her to complete 40 hours' community work in respect of both charges.