P use claimed as reason in theft, robbery cases

A former courier driver who stole thousands of dollars from NZ Post and a man who robbed a service station were both using methamphetamine, the Nelson District Court was told yesterday.

Lawyers representing the two former Aucklanders facing separate charges linked their offending to the drug.

Steven Zindel said Monique Doreen Beverley Vollmer's judgment was affected by P when she stole more then $20,000 in property from NZ Post between August and September last year.

Vollmer admitted six charges of theft as a servant and receiving.

"The use of the drug P detached her from reality and made it easy for her former partner to manipulate her," Mr Zindel said.

Vollmer, now living in Motueka, had not used the drug since last September. She had made a fresh start and was due to give birth to her fourth child next month.

Judge David McKegg said it was important Vollmer be held accountable.

He sentenced her to six months' jail, but deferred the sentence for two months until a decision was made on her application for home detention.

Daniel Kira Hepehi, 23, admitted robbing a South Auckland service station at knifepoint while under the influence of P.

He pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and threatening to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer told the court Hepehi went to the petrol station on August 27.

Mr Stringer said Hepehi lunged at the attendant with a knife and continued swinging it at him, narrowly avoided hitting him in the head.

The attendant put money in a bag and Hepehi left with $500.

His lawyer, Mark Dollimore said Hepehi had been given P before the robbery, and had limited recollection of it.

Hepehi had "severe drug issues", Mr Dollimore said.

Judge Paul Whitehead convicted Hepehi and remanded him in custody for sentencing on November 14.

- NZPA