Earthquake burglar jailed

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A man who tried to burgle damaged properties after the September earthquake in Christchurch was jailed for 2-1/2 years today.

Aaron Keith David Edmonds, 35, appeared in Christchurch District Court, held at the Rangiora Court House today, where Judge Colin Doherty said it was not the worst burglary of its kind but it happened at a vulnerable time, when Christchurch was in a state of emergency.

Edmonds entered a property one week after the September 4 quake and took a wallet and other items. He went to a second property and tried to get in the doors and windows. He was disturbed by the occupier and left. He was found in a third yard by police and had cannabis and a pipe on him.

Defence counsel Serina Bailey said Edmonds had been released from prison eight weeks earlier, where he had been sent after similar offending.

She said he had some motivation to address his alcohol and drug addiction.

Judge Doherty said Edmonds had also done $855 worth of damage to a motor vehicle.

Edmonds had been moving around taking what advantage he could of the situation after the earthquake, he said.

Edmonds had 60 convictions over the past 17 years, and his probation report said that he had had only a handful of alcohol-free days from the time he had last been released from prison.

He was on parole at the time of the offences and accepted that he would be a risk in the future unless he got on top of his alcohol and drug difficulties, Judge Doherty said.

Edmonds was jailed and ordered to pay reparation for the wallet of $40 and $855 for the car.

- NZPA