Deer poaching costs teen pair $1100 each

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Two young men, originally accused of being involved in major deer poaching ring, have received modest fines after admitting they stole two deer valued at $1000 from a deer farm.

Storm Panapia, 18, and Scott Stephen Darroch, 18, both of Matamata, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of animals in Tauranga District Court yesterday.

They were fined $750 each, plus court costs and ordered to pay $333.33 reparation each.

Originally both men faced four theft charges, and Darroch had an extra charge of unlawful hunting. The other charges were withdrawn.

When the pair were arrested and charged in March this year, police alleged they and two other Matamata men were involved in a $100,000 poaching ring.

One of the latter two had his charges withdrawn and the other has had his matter transferred to Morrinsville District Court.

The police summary of facts revealed that on December 2 last year, Panapia, Darroch and another male associate travelled over the Kaimais towards Tauranga.

Parking a short distance from the complainant's Pyes Pa Rd deer farm, the pair shot and killed two deer valued at $1000, then loaded the carcasses into their ute and headed back to Matamata. Once there they butchered the carcasses and shared out the meat.

Both men were before the courts for the first time.

Their lawyers urged Judge Robert Wolff to impose a fine and make a reparation order, submitting their clients had already suffered a significant penalty because of the considerable publicity about the original allegations, which had also caused great distress to their families.

Darroch's lawyer, Paul Mabey, QC, said his client came from a "solid family" who were at court to support him, and Panapia's family also attended court.

Mr Mabey said Darroch had clearly not thought about the repercussions of his actions, which he deeply regretted, and the court could have confidence this youthful indiscretion was not likely to be repeated.

Judge Wolff said anyone who stole animals was likely to become the focus of media attention.

"Obviously deer poaching is going to attract attention. It comes with the territory," the judge said.

Judge Wolff said to describe this offending as a "youthful indiscretion" understated the seriousness of the offence but he was satisfied a fine and reparation was the appropriate sanction given the two defendants' age and lack of prior convictions.

"It is unfortunate that this has befallen you when you are so young and hopefully this brush with the law will be your last."