She described his repeat offending as “bold and brazen” and demonstrated a complete lack of regard for people’s rights and the sanctity of their homes.
Tipene, who appeared via video link from prison, nodded in agreement.
Later, he asked to speak to the court and society in general.
“I never meant anyone any harm. I would not like this to happen to my family and I am very, very sorry for my disrespect to those people.
“I never wanted to carry on living my life the way I do and I don’t know what happens. I know I’m better than what you read and what you see,” Tipene said.
The 52-year-old was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after earlier admitting to three burglaries and two shoplifting charges that occurred between July and September last year.
The burglaries involved homes in Christchurch, one in which Tipene was confronted by the occupant who had received a text warning from the security company who had seen Tipene enter the home through the front door.
Tipene looked around and left, but returned. The occupant came out of the bedroom and found Tipene in the kitchen, rummaging through his partner’s handbag.
The surprise encounter prompted Tipene to tell the occupant he was “looking for Gareth”.
Judge Rielly noted how it had left the homeowners shaken and grateful that their children weren’t home at the time, or that nothing was stolen, but the man’s wife had been left “particularly anxious and distressed”.
“There was no evidence you were likely to be violent but they were not to know that,” she said.
The other burglaries involved Tipene parking in the driveway of two separate Christchurch homes and taking tools from the garden shed of one, and firearms equipment and ammunition from the other after prising a small safe off the wall of a bedroom.
In between the burglaries in July, August and September last year, Tipene had arrived in Motueka where he went to the Warehouse and “boldly” stole items including sunglasses and automotive products.
His lawyer Ian Miller said the victim impact statements were “restrained”, given the circumstances, as the incidents no doubt had an impact on the people concerned.
Miller said Tipene’s background and upbringing were of the type seen and heard too often in court.
“The dishonesty in itself seems to be addictive. It’s not just around drugs but when things get hard he falls back into it but he struggles to articulate why.”
Judge Rielly said that Tipene’s 50 previous burglary convictions were part of a broader package that included multiple other convictions for crimes such as entering with intent and other dishonesty offences.
He was also recently sentenced to prison for burglary and shoplifting, and breaching conditions of home detention, before reeling off his extensive prison history.
“Nothing seems to have broken your cycle of offending.
“Only you can truly change if this was the last time and I live in hope that it will be,” Judge Rielly said.
“If you can’t do it for yourself, then do it for your kids.”
Tipene said he wanted to do better for his “beautiful whānau” and if there was any way to make amends he would.
He added that in the past he had written “plenty of remorse letters” but up until now, he felt they were fake.
Tipene was also ordered to pay reparation for the items stolen and $500 emotional harm reparation to the owners of the home who had been confronted by him.
His release from prison would be determined by the Parole Board.
Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She was previously RNZ’s regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and has covered general news, including court and local government for the Nelson Mail.
