School burglar avoids prison

A Blenheim man who stole more than $21,000 of computer equipment including 12 laptops from Springlands School has been sentenced to six months' home detention.

Brynley Ian Williams, a 19-year-old gibstopper, was convicted in the Blenheim District Court on Monday after admitting the November 20 or 21 burglary. On one of those days, Williams entered the school by breaking a glass fire-exit door and removed 12 laptops, a computer hard drive and four data projectors from four classrooms. The total cost of the stolen equipment was $21,256. Replacing the fire-exit door had cost the school another $3500.

Lawyer Bryony Millar said a co-offender had helped Williams in the burglary and other co-offenders had dealt with the property once it was removed from the school. She said the offence was Williams' first burglary and he had woken the next day feeling remorseful.

Mrs Millar asked the court to consider home detention for Williams, saying the defendant's mother was a positive influence and was willing for her house be used as a base.

Judge Johnston said Williams' remorse had extended to co-operating with police so they could recover the stolen property or identify more than one of the co-offenders.

"Fortunately for you, your mother has written a letter to the court forgiving you for what you have done. She expresses optimism you are going to make changes," Judge Johnston said.

Williams was also convicted for driving while disqualified on December 13 with an excess breath alcohol (eba) of 693 micrograms per litre of breath, 443mcg above the legal limit for drivers under 20.

He had failed to complete a community work sentence, ordered in lieu of paying fines worth $40,000. He had also failed to attend supervision sessions, part of his sentence from a a 2008 conviction for assaulting his mother. She had been served a permanent protection order.

Williams was sentenced to six months' home detention on the burglary charge with special conditions to undertake an assessment for alcohol abuse and complete any treatment as ordered by a probation officer. No alcohol or illicit drugs can be consumed while on detention.

Williams' community work sentence was replaced with a new one of 200 hours. He must also pay $10,000 as his share of the reparation in $30 weekly instalments.

A concurrent 200-hour community work sentence was ordered for the drink-driving conviction and his licence was disqualified for eight months.

For driving while disqualified, he was disqualified for a concurrent eight months.

- The Marlborough Express