Trailer thieves hooked

Two well-known thieves had not got far with the East End Surf Lifesaving Club's trailer before they were nabbed by police.

The two New Plymouth men, Jason Wilson, 38, and Andre Schouten, 41, were spotted by locals putting the $3000 trailer on the back of their car at 1.15am on October 30.

The two had cut through the chain which attached the trailer to the fence at the club's yard at East End beach.

Police arrested them around the corner on Nobs Line. The two told police they had permission to borrow it to move some gear.

Schouten has since been sentenced to the theft and it was Wilson's turn in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday.

Wilson had earlier pleaded not guilty but yesterday changed his plea to guilty minutes before a defended hearing.

Judge Rob Murfitt told Wilson that he must be well aware on reading local papers that the New Plymouth community was very sensitive about the theft of equipment belonging to surf clubs.

The clubs had been the victims in the past of thefts of motors and boats and now a trailer, Judge Murfitt said.

But surf club members were volunteers who carried out their role for the benefit of the community, "including you and your co-offender and the members of your family", Judge Murfitt said.

Both Wilson and Schouten, who was sentenced to community detention and community work for his part in the theft, had a prodigious history of thefts and dishonesty offences. It was likely Wilson would be similarly sentenced when he returned to court on May 19, the judge said.

- © Fairfax NZ News