Pair fined for forest fuel heist

Carterton's Samuel Joseph Trotman and Tuhi James Te Naihi were fined in Masterton District Court on Thursday, after stealing petrol and an oilskin coat from a forestry block earlier this month.

The pair pleaded guilty to a charge each of being found without reasonable excuse in Patinka Forest and to stealing petrol and an oilskin coat with a combined value of $160.

Trotman, 26, and Te Naihi , 25, were stopped by police after leaving the forest, which is about 18km from Riversdale, on February 2, according to police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson.

They told police they were going for a dive, but had none of the regular diving gear.

Mr Wilson said they had been in the forestry block without permission and the victim had discovered the oilskin coat and petrol missing.

The coat was located in the back seat of a vehicle when the pair were stopped.

Lawyer Virginia Pearson said both would prefer to pay a fine for their actions as they were both in fulltime employment and had children.

Judge Peter Hobbs said Trotman had a significant history of dishonesty offending.

They were each fined $400 on each charge and ordered to pay reparation of $30 each for the petrol.