Joy ride ends in torching of ute

A 17-year-old who took a $25,000 ute, rolled it and set it alight will be sentenced in the Blenheim District Court in September.

Nathaniel Bourchier admitted unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and intentional damage when he appeared in court yesterday. A charge of having equipment for converting a car was dropped.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Steve Frost, said Bourchier stole a Ford Courier ute while walking along State Highway 1 north of Seddon on June 17.

The owner had left keys in the ignition while working on his farm and called police when he noticed the vehicle was not where he had left it, Mr Frost said.

Bourchier drove the ute, which had a trailer loaded with gravel attached, to Blenheim and unhooked the trailer in South St. He picked up three friends and went four-wheel-driving. He lost control of the vehicle, which rolled, knocking one of the occupants unconscious.

Bourchier later set fire to the vehicle near the railway lines at Riverlands, Mr Frost said.

Bourchier initially denied his involvement and gave police multiple stories about how he got to Blenheim from Seddon.

The vehicle was written off and reparation of $25,500 is sought.

Bourchier was convicted and remanded in custody for sentencing on September 13.
The Marlborough Express

Last updated 11:45 14/07/2010