No second chance for bail jumper

A Hamilton judge has questioned a man's expression of remorse after the defendant spent eight months flouting his bail.

Cory Toa, 27, was sentenced on Monday in the Hamilton District Court to 12 months' jail after pleading guilty to two counts of receiving stolen property, one of burglary and a charge of driving while disqualified.

Toa originally appeared in court in February last year and was granted bail to reappear the following month. Instead, Toa went on the run for eight months until his arrest in December.

While at large, Toa burgled a Hamilton East home and admitted receiving stolen goods worth $14,000.

Defence counsel Douglas Hall said Toa was now remorseful and acknowledged he hadn't been co-operative with police. Toa also wished to apologise to his victims.

Mr Hall said Toa's Mongrel Mob gang associates had a negative influence on the defendant. Toa, however, still enjoyed good family support.

In sentencing, Judge Arthur Tompkins said Toa's bail breach was a "telling" insight into his ability to adhere to court orders. The judge said Toa had an opportunity to show his remorse when he first appeared in court but instead breached his bail.

Toa's offending was also aggravated by his seven previous burglary convictions.

Judge Tompkins declined to impose a sentence of home detention, saying it would not be an adequate response to Toa's offending. Toa was also disqualified from driving for 12 months. AARON LEAMAN

- © Fairfax NZ News