A Westport man who breached his supervision sentence by drinking beer and tequila, and letting the battery of his electronic monitoring bracelet go flat, has been sentenced to home detention.
Richard Peter George Manu, 59, admitted two charges of breaching extended supervision when he appeared in the Westport District Court last week.
Probation officer Kelly Ratahi told the court that on March 10, 2010, Manu was ordered by the Parole Board in the High Court to complete 10 years of extended supervision.
Two-and-a-half years later, Manu breached his sentence, and was sent back to prison.
He was released on January 15, 2014, and ordered to continue completing his extended supervision sentence.
While completing the sentence he was forbidden to drink alcohol, Ms Ratahi said.
However on July 31, 2015, at the Black and White Hotel, Manu consumed beer and tequila between 5pm and about 2.40 the following morning, she said.
Also on July 31, Manu breached another condition.
He allowed the battery of his electronic monitor to get critically low, and then shut down completely.
It was only placed back on a charger when a field officer arrived at Manu's address, Ms Ratahi said.
Defending, George Linder said Manu did not intentionally let the ankle bracelet go flat.
It was new and, unlike his old one, didn't vibrate when the battery was low to remind him to charge it, Mr Linder said.
As for drinking alcohol, Manu had received some bad news from a family member so was not in a good headspace, he said.
He asked the court to consider a sentence of home detention.
Salvation Army Westport Corps captain Stephen Campkin spoke from the public gallery of Manu's progress since he had moved to Westport and engaged with the local corps last year.
Capt Campkin said Manu had his ups and downs, and would sometimes "go to ground".
However, he still regularly attended church.
Judge Noel Walsh said Manu was 16 when he first went to prison.
"You've done it all haven't you? You've knocked up 20 pages of criminal convictions.
"Most of those convictions related to dishonesty," Judge Walsh said.
He told Manu he was going to sentence him to home detention, and that the Sallies were his "saving grace".
Manu said it was the first time he'd been given a break by the court.
Judge Walsh convicted Manu and sentenced him to three months' home detention.