Don't ruin your life, thief urged

FILE

A recidivist burglar convicted nearly 50 times for dishonesty needs to stop offending before his life falls into ruins, a judge has said.

Dean Wayne Whakatau, 36, was sentenced by Judge Phillip Cooper in the Rotorua District Court yesterday to 18 months' imprisonment on burglary charges.

Whakatau previously pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, both occurring last September.

Judge Cooper said that on September 20 Whakatau and an associate went to a business premises in Rotorua and cut a padlock securing its gates.

"The pair entered the yard and a vehicle valued at $2500 was stolen."

A few days later, on September 25, there was a burglary of a house, which Whakatau entered through an insecure door. He stole cash, an iPad, camera and a lens, the judge said.

In the past 10 years Whakatau has been linked to a number of burglaries and thefts in the Bay of Plenty and wider New Zealand.

He has been referred to as a "career criminal" by police and someone who "takes advantage of good-natured and trusting people".

Judge Cooper said he would love it if Whakatau never appeared in court again.

"You have a terrible record of dishonesty over the years. By my count, you have 46 previous convictions for dishonesty, with 14 of those being burglary charges.

"At 36 years old, you need to look at changing your life around, Mr Whakatau.

"If you do not stop this offending your life will be in ruins."