Thief asks judge to send him 'home' to prison

Dane Pukepuke just wants to go "home" to prison.

The 38-year-old Rotorua man, who has spent almost half his life behind bars, yesterday pleaded guilty in Rotorua District Court to demanding almost $6000 worth of cigarettes, cash and telephone cards from Pricecutter Eastside.

He also admitted stealing shop assistant Rajesh Dahya's car.

Pukepuke said he committed the crime because he was desperate for money and had debts to pay off.

He told the court yesterday he had just come out of prison after being there for 2-1/2 years. He said he had served a further 15 years in jail before that.

"I don't want to muck anyone around... I'm very sorry for what I have done. I just want to go back home, Waikeria Prison, and sit there for another 10 years," he told the court.

Judge Chris McGuire remanded Pukepuke in custody for sentencing on September 2.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)