Police hats pinched on ride home

When two police officers gave a drunk Napier man a lift home, they did not expect to end up hatless.

Angus Budge, 20, admitted yesterday to repaying the officers' kindness by stealing their hats from the police car on September 3.

But it was soon his turn to be nicked, after police returned to his flat and found the hats, valued at $78.17 each.

Budge, who was convicted but not sentenced in Napier District Court yesterday on a charge of theft, said he was sorry. "All I remember is waking up in the cells the next morning in my boxers and a blanket. I wouldn't have done it if I was sober."

- © Fairfax NZ News