A man who hired a van for two days but returned it a month later, badly damaged after it became stuck in mud, has been sentenced to community work.
Alan Bowley appeared in the Wanganui District Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to unlawfully converting a motor vehicle.
In early July, Bowley hired a van from Hire It in Wanganui for one day.
"Later that day the defendant rang Hire It asking for another day," police prosecutor Rachel Willemsen said.
But almost a month later, the vehicle had not been returned and it was reported stolen. When it was eventually returned, it was badly damaged including ripped roof lining, missing hub caps, a cracked windscreen and dog hair throughout.
Defence lawyer Stephen Ross said it was quite a sad tale.
Bowley had driven the vehicle to Raetihi because he had some jobs to do in the area, he said. On his return the Parapara was closed due to a recent storm and he decided to take the vehicle down a side road.
"He knows he probably shouldn't have gone down that road," Mr Ross said. "He ended up getting stuck due to the rain and slips across the road."
Mr Ross said Bowley then spent some time trying to find parts to repair the van. He said, rather than an attempt to dishonestly convert a car, he instead got himself into a situation he "didn't handle particularly well".
Judge David Cameron convicted Bowley and sentenced him to 50 hours community work and ordered him to pay $1514 in reparation.