Infamous fugitive William Alexander Stewart, now facing seven years and four months in jail, was accused in court yesterday of being vain and seeking publicity during his months on the run from police in Canterbury.
The 48-year-old apologised to his victims at his sentencing in the Christchurch District Court on
the 47 charges he had admitted.
Judge Stephen Erber accepted the remorse but pointed out that Stewart had not helped the police in recovering a huge amount of stolen property, nor had he named his helpers.
The judge imposed a non-parole term of two-thirds of the sentence - four years and 10 months - and ordered that Stewart eventually pay $75,000 in reparation to his victims.
That was only a fraction of the $350,000 loss and damage he was estimated to have caused, the judge said. Stewart had claimed some success in past property deals, but full repayment was beyond his reasonable resources.
Stewart was also disqualified from driving for a year, having led the police on three high-speed chases. His jail term will start when his present term for violence and kidnapping ends in a few months.
Judge Erber said his behaviour was extreme and he became addicted to self-advertisement.
"You offended in part because you were vain and courted publicity which the media were not slow to supply. That emboldened you to continue the wave of offending."
Judge Erber said Stewart had gone on the run when he heard a warrant had been issued for his recall to prison for breaching his parole. He claimed he was running because he was frightened of the police after of an earlier beating.
- NZPA
