Teen jailed after crashing $280,000 car

A 17-year-old youth with a history of psychological problems burgled a family friend's house in Havelock North, later crashing a $280,000 Audi car after reaching speeds of more than 250kmh, Napier District Court was told today.

Michael Johnny Kight was sentenced to 12 months prison after earlier pleading guilty to a number of charges, including burglary, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm, driving while forbidden and dangerous driving.

Judge Geoff Rea also ordered reparation of $10,323 to be paid to Hastings District Council for damage to a steel barrier hit in a collision on October 6 last year at Farndon, midway between Hastings and Napier.

The court had been told Kight had been at a party before going to a house of a family friend and letting himself in through a sliding door. He then burgled the house, taking watches, jewellery, laptop computers, five cellphones, two digital cameras and several firearms from a gun cabinet, including two shotguns and a .22 rifle.

The stolen property was put in an Audi which had been left with its keys in the ignition and Kight drove toward Napier, violently accelerating to speeds of more than 250kmh, according to police.

He lost control of the car on a gentle bend, skidded for 40 metres and then smashed into a steel barrier, smashing 13 posts off at ground level and leaving the barrier mangled.

The Audi flipped when it hit the barrier, became airborne, flew over an adjacent railway line and came to rest in a paddock. The impact ripped its bonnet off and stocks on the shotguns were broken.

Kight escaped virtually uninjured, which Judge Rea described as "nothing short of a miracle".

Kight's lawyer, Roger Philip, said his client had a history of involvement with mental health services. His family had spent up to $500,000 getting him care in the United States and Samoa, at residential schools for youth with behavioural problems.

Mr Philip said Kight needed structure in his life and would require a specialist team to look after him after his release from prison. However, the reality in New Zealand was that if he were released today, there was no institution that could take him.

"He is one of those individuals who falls through the cracks in terms of what this country can provide," said Mr Philip.

Judge Rea said he had not seen so many reports on a 17-year-old and had no doubt Kight had a tragic life, despite the efforts of his parents to get him the best care.

"You're not without your private demons," he said.

- NZPA