A Masterton woman who sold two stolen water cylinders and a battery from a stolen golf buggy to a scrap dealer was sentenced to 40 hours' community work at Masterton District Court this week.
Natasha Stammers, 20, knowingly took the stolen items to a scrap dealer, Sergeant Garry Wilson, prosecuting,told the court.
He said Stammers "was aware the stuff was stolen but had turned a blind eye".
Between September 1 and October 30 a water cylinder valued at $500 was stolen from an address in Masterton.
A second water cylinder was stolen from another Masterton house in late-October.
Sergeant Wilson confirmed that police have since dealt with another individual in relation to a number of burglaries. He told Judge Bruce Davidson that on October 30 the woman was asked by an associate to remove a battery from a golf cart, which he had stolen, and bring it to a nearby scrap dealer. She subsequently sold the battery for $138 and received $208.60 for the water cylinders.
Lawyer Frank Minehan said his client had pleaded guilty straight away to handling stolen property and he also said Stammers had a 2-year-old child.
"She's obviously associating with undesirable people," he said. "She's instructed me that she could be dealt with by way of a fine."
