A woman who tried to steal two bracelets from a Blenheim jewellery store believed she would have got away with if an off-duty policeman was not in the store, police say.
Astra Fleur Sunbeam, 34, admitted two unrelated theft charges when she appeared in Blenheim District Court yesterday and will be sentenced on April 2.
Her bail was continued by Judge Stephen Harrop.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said Sunbeam was in Avalon Jewellers on Market St about 3pm on January 16.
She gained access to one of the locked glass cases and placed a bracelet in her handbag and tried another on.
She took the bracelet out of her bag when confronted by store management and an off-duty policeman.
Sunbeam told police she tried stealing the items "because she could" and knew how to unlock all the cases in the store. She also said she would have got away with the theft if the off-duty policeman was not in the store. The other theft related to items taken from Countdown.
DNA nabs burglar
DNA evidence from the scene of a burglary at a Marlborough Sounds bach led to the arrest of the burglar more than two years later, Judge Harrop said.
Edward Phillip Watkins, 20, yesterday admitted the 2009 burglary and was sentenced to 50 hours' community work and ordered to pay $485 reparation.
Mr Single said the bach in Kenepuru Sound was broken into between May 1, 2009 and October 7, 2009. Access to the bach was by walking a kilometre from Kenepuru Rd.
Watkins and two others broke a window to get inside and lit a freestanding fire and drank liquor and ate food inside. Among items taken were two rugs from South America, a television and some glasses.
Watkins told police he remembered drinking at the bach, but his recollection of events was vague.
Judge Harrop said the burglary was "particularly annoying" for the owners of the bach, who were in their 80s and lived in Christchurch.
They spent four days cleaning up after the burglary and the rugs were irreplaceable and had sentimental value, the judge said.
If Watkins and the other two co-accused had been sentenced at the same time a significant emotional harm payment would be ordered, Judge Harrop said.
Watkins did not have any convictions at the time of the offending where he left the DNA, so had to be dealt with as a first offender despite having since received later convictions, he said.
Shearer strikes officer
A Blenheim shearer struck a female police officer at the Blues, Brews and BBQs festival, the court was told yesterday.
Peter Bruce, 46, admitted assaulting police, disorderly behaviour and breaching a protection order when he appeared before Judge Harrop.
Bruce was fined $300 for disorderly behaviour, $250 for the assault, and ordered to pay $150 reparation and court costs.
Mr Single said police saw Bruce fighting with another man at the festival on Saturday, February 4.
He said Bruce held the victim's shirt and was extremely intoxicated.
"Bruce was told to calm down, before he struck the female constable in the back with an open hand, causing her to fall down and break her watch.
"He was arrested and refused to co-operate with police."
Bruce breached a protection order imposed on January 31, by texting the victim on Monday, February 6, Mr Single said.
Defence lawyer Matthew Marshall said the text message was sent to organise for some work equipment to be picked up and was non-threatening.
Bruce required his equipment for work purposes, he said.
Mr Marshall added Bruce drank to excess at the festival, which was out of character.
"His friends convinced him to go to the festival and he accepts the reparation costs sought."
He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, Mr Marshall said.
Judge Harrop agreed the text message was non-threatening or abusive, but told Bruce protection orders are put out because their victims fear for their safety or any contact. Breaching the order carries consequences that you may not intend, he said.
"As for the assault, it's the sort of thing the court hears all too often after these festivals and the police have better things to do with their time. Of course, the assault on the female police officer is totally unacceptable."
Other charges:
Joshua Love, 21, a fisherman of Picton, admitted assault and was fined $350 and court costs.
Robert Aaron Sowman, 40, of Blenheim, admitted disorderly behaviour, assault and failing to answer bail and was sentenced to 70 hours' community work.
Logova Tafa Asiata, 27, a vineyard worker of Seddon, admitted theft and was fined $800 and ordered to pay court costs.
Winston Akauola, 23, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, admitted disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence and was given a six-month suspended sentence.
Venus Kawa Te Ngahue, 18, of Blenheim, admitted disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence and was sentenced to six months' supervision.
- The Marlborough Express
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