Youth and a lack of previous convictions saved a Whangarei teenager from jail for a spate of burglaries, including stealing from an organisation that helps the underprivileged.
Rebecca Ward, 19, appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court on Friday after earlier pleading guilty to three charges of burglary, four of theft from cars and one of theft from a house. Judge Simon Maude said among Ward's victims was a not-for-profit organisation, Linking Hands at Maungaturoto, which was targeted twice by Ward and her associates.
On December 30, 2010, Ward and an associate went to Linking Hands to use a computer and left a window open with the intention of breaking into the building later that day. Upon their return, Judge Maude said Ward acted as a lookout while her associate stole donated coins.
On January 4, 2011, Ward and her associates searched 12 vehicles parked in a playground in Maungaturoto and broke into five, stealing items such as a wallet, a cellphone and digital camera.
The group returned to Linking Hands on January 5, broke in and stole $10 cash, a koha box and a briefcase. They later broke into a caravan and a home from where electrical items were stolen.