A Blenheim teenager was sent to prison after admitting a spate of burglaries committed while on cannabis and drunk, which included stealing a Commonwealth Games medal from his mother's house.
Leighton Thomas Waite, 17, was sentenced to 13 months' jail on six charges of burglary, two of receiving stolen property, breaching supervision, breaching community work, failing to answer bail and possession of cannabis. He appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday. Judge Denys Barry said the crime spree happened between January and September, and Waite lived off the proceeds of his crimes.
The items stolen included four chainsaws, spray paint, a motorcycle, a digital camera, laptops and a silver Commonwealth Games medal from his mother's house.
Some of the items were exchanged for drugs or cash, Judge Barry said.
He said home detention was not an option because Waite had "burned his bridges" by burgling his mother's house.
"You not only tortured your mother by your crime but have also driven yourself behind bars, leaving those who care for you with a legacy of guilt," he said. "The reality is you have brought this on yourself despite the best efforts of those around you."
Defence counsel Philip Watson said Waite was on a "cannabis and alcohol bender" and stole to survive.
Waite had nowhere to go and no address that could be considered for home detention, he said.
Judge Barry said the aggravating factors were the repetition of the offending, the duration, the loss caused to victims and the intrusion on property.
Waite was also sentenced to one month imprisonment concurrent for receiving.
He was convicted and discharged on the other charges.
He was also ordered to undergo alcohol and drug treatment.
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