A man who broke into his neighbour's house, taking a souvenir pair of panties, has been ordered to pay $750 emotional harm reparation and $90 to replace the underwear.
Thomas Christopher Dolling, 24, was criticised by Judge Tony Adeane in Napier District Court on Friday for what he called "stupid, stupid
offending".
Dolling appeared for sentencing on a burglary committed on September 25 this year, where he broke into a neighbour's house.
A police summary said Dolling entered through the unlocked back door, turning the lights and television on before entering the victim's bedroom.
While in the room he pulled all the victim's clothes out of her drawers before trying some on.
He also entered a child's bedroom and went through all the drawers.
On leaving he took a pair of the adult female victim's underwear with him.
His actions were observed by a member of the victim's family who turned up while Dolling was inside.
When spoken to by police he admitted entering the house and taking the underwear as "he had a fetish".
His lawyer Leo Lafferty said his client was barefoot in the house and "couldn't remember if he was Arthur or Martha".
Judge Adeane sentenced Dolling to six months' supervision and ordered him to pay reparation and emotional harm reparation.
