Two sentenced for receiving stolen war medals

Two people who admitted receiving army service medals that had been stolen from a visiting Australian Vietnam War veteran have been sentenced to community work.

The two were dealt with separately in Christchurch District Court.

Theft charges were withdrawn after they pleaded guilty to the charges of receiving stolen property, Christchurch's Court News website reported.

The medals, worth $1200, were stolen from 63-year-old Reg Meffert who lives in Regency Downs near Brisbane.

The country singer was visiting Christchurch when the medals were stolen from the house where he was staying. He had been in Christchurch to visit family and attend Anzac Day commemorations.

Police later released a security photo showing two people trying to sell the medals at a central Christchurch stamp shop.

The shop owner recognised the missing medals and told the couple he was keeping them and calling the police. The pair were arrested when the media published the photograph.

Reihana Eru Pou, a 21-year-old unemployed man from the Christchurch suburb of Richmond, was sentenced to 80 hours of community work for receiving the medals, and fined $300 for possession of cannabis.

Taila Mahara Barber, an unemployed 20-year-old woman who lives in central Christchurch, was sentenced to 90 hours of community work by Judge Stephen Erber.

- NZPA