Drug addict in rehab after crime spree

Menata William Haeata, 24, pleaded guilty to charges of using a document for pecuniary advantage, unlawfully getting into a car and two counts of shoplifting.

A 24-year-old Masterton man who went on a two-month crime spree is "turning his life around" as he tries to get on top of his addictions, his lawyer says.

Before Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court on Thursday, Menata William Haeata pleaded guilty to charges of using a document for pecuniary advantage, unlawfully getting into a car and two counts of shoplifting.

On March 24 he stole soft drinks, noodles and frozen food from Yan's Supermarket in Wellington.

Then four days later, he unsuccessfully presented two cheques stolen from Paekakariki Primary School in a burglary on March 26, written out for more than $4000 at the Paraparaumu ASB.

On April 1, he tried to cash another cheque belong to the school at the Kilbirnie ASB for $200.

On April 5, he got into a stolen vehicle and travelled around the North Island with an unknown person, stopping at PAK'nSAVE in Gisborne on April 17 where he stole $32 in groceries.

Defence lawyer Virginia Pearson said her client was in residential rehabilitation.

"He is turning his life around," she said.

Judge Morris told Haeata he was on the right path addressing his addiction but his offending had "reached the point where imprisonment is the likely outcome" for him at sentencing.

"This is your chance to demonstrate to yourself and your family you can do this.

"Getting control of addiction is very hard ... you have the potential to get on top of your addiction. It is possible," she said.

Haeata has been remanded on bail to the residential programme with his attendance excused from court on October 16 when his case would be called for monitoring and a sentencing date set.