Whanganui man steals motorbike from neighbour to pay for drug test

A Whanganui man who was caught stealing his neighbour's motorbike says he needed the money for a drug test.

Hamish David Wright pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court today.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Drew Morrison said that, about 7am on January 31, Wright removed the motorbike from his neighbour's property in Whanganui.

Later that day Wright sold the bike to Cash Converters in Whanganui, when it was later reported stolen.

Defence lawyer Raukawa Simon said the bike had been recovered and some payments had already been made to Cash Converters.

"He does have an addiction issue," Ms Simon told the judge.

Judge Duglad Matheson sentenced Wright to 60 hours' community work and ordered him to pay $60 reparation to Cash Converters.