A Pukehina teenager who admitted a spree of burglaries at Pukehina Parade holiday homes has been sentenced to three months' community detention and nine months' supervision.
Thomas Cameron, 17, who in April pleaded guilty to eight charges of burglary, was sentenced in Tauranga District Court yesterday. He was also ordered topay $1361.30 reparation to his victims, with a lump sum payment of $500 up front, then $30 a week to pay the balance.
Cameron and an associate broke into unoccupied holiday homes on Pukehina Parade between March 13 and April 8.
Items stolen included stereos, televisions, alcohol and kitchen utensils. Cameron's lawyer Cate Andersen told Judge Alayne Wills that her client, who had no prior convictions and had been assessed at low risk of reoffending, was genuinely remorseful.
Since the offending he had got a job and saved up $500 to put towards his share of reparation. She said Cameron was motivated to address the causes of his offending, which predominantly stemmed from his use of cannabis which he began using at age 13. She said a sentence of community detention would be the least restrictive outcome. Judge Wills agreed and said while a series of burglaries like this would normally attract a jail sentence it would not be appropriate in this case. She took into account Cameron's youth, early guilty pleas, expressions of remorse and his offer to make amends.
