Third Christchurch looter jailed

File photo / NZH

A third after-quake offender to appear in Christchurch District Court today has also been sent to prison.

Kyle Paul McEntee, 28, was remorseful and embarrassed that he was involved in the offence, his counsel Gilbert Hay said.

His partner had recently had their child, and she wanted help for his opiate addiction.

He was on the methadone programme and had a serious drug problem which was in need of urgent help, Mr Hay said.

Judge Gary MacAskill said McEntee entered The Holy Grail sports bar in central Christchurch after the September 4 earthquake electronically released the doors, making off with alcohol and a cash register.

He said McEntee had an extensive record, including dishonesty, shoplifting and drugs charges, but was now well motivated to change.

McEntee had performed poorly on sentences in the past and prison was the only option, Judge MacAskill said.

He sentenced him to six months' prison with release conditions for a further six months, including alcohol and drug assessment.

Earlier today two earthquake looters were jailed and one was told by the judge his blatant offending was "despicable".

Kimioa Ngatamariki, 21, was jailed for two months by Judge Tony Couch after he admitted burglary of a hairdressing salon in Barbadoes Street the day after the earthquake.

The judge said it was a despicable crime.

Louise Patricia Cooper, 51 was also given a two-month jail sentence by Judge Couch but after the five weeks she has spent in custody on remand it meant she was released immediately.

Police agreed to reduce a burglary charge to theft and she pleaded guilty to that and to a charge of being unlawfully in a yard.

The court was previously told that she went to a property that was undergoing earthquake repairs on September 16 and took 34 items including food, a broom, and a squeegee.

- NZPA