Burglar lived rough, stole to exist after prison

A prolific burglar living rough after leaving prison stole to feed himself when he was unable to find a job, get the dole or a place to live, the New Plymouth District Court was told.

"I was just trying to find a place to live. I didn't mean to hurt anyone," Matthew Hau, 42, wrote in a note to the judge.

Hau's lawyer, Julian Hannam, said his client was deeply remorseful for the series of burglaries in August.

Hau acknowledged he was a recidivist burglar but he was stealing to simply maintain his existence and rummaging for food. At the time, he could not get a benefit because he had no address for Work and Income, rental firms had told him there was nothing available, he could not find a job and had no-one to support him.

The judge sentenced him to one year and eight months in jail and ordered destruction of the burglary instruments.

- © Fairfax NZ News