A young man's excuse that he stole guns and ammunition to sell in order to feed his family did not wash with a Whangarei judge.
Hayden Wehi, 18, earlier admitted to charges of burglary, possession of a firearm in a public place, possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm in a public place.
He appeared for sentencing in the Whangarei District Court yesterday.
Judge Duncan Harvey said it appeared Wehi had a fascination with weapons and that was a real worry for the court.
Between October 14 and 31, 2011, he burgled a house on Rewarewa Rd, Whangarei, and stole three firearms, a hunting knife, gun powder and personal items, all worth about $2000.
On November 1, Judge Harvey said Wehi had been drinking and was later a passenger in a car travelling through Smeaton Drive in Raumanga.
The driver took out ammunition and a rifle was loaded before Wehi fired some rounds in to the air.
Further rounds were discharged on Ashley Ave in Otaika before Wehi was stopped by police on Otaika Rd.
The firearms and ammunition were recovered during a search of his house.
Judge Harvey said the chances of a tragedy were extraordinarily high, given the fact that Wehi had been drinking before he fired the shots.
He said given Wehi's actions, the explanation that he stole the guns to sell in order to feed his family was doubtful.
Wehi was subject to release conditions on a charge of assault with a weapon when he committed the latest offences.
Defence lawyer Kelly Johnson said Wehi, 18, had pleaded guilty to the charges and had written a letter to court.
Judge Harvey sentenced Wehi to 18 months' jail, but declined home detention because Wehi had previously offended while on bail and was yet to complete his release conditions from the earlier conviction. He did not order reparation because Wehi had no means to pay.