Judge tells shoplifter to imagine prison shower

A teenaged shoplifter was told to imagine lining up in a prison shower "with all the boys" by the judge sentencing him yesterday.

Christopher Cook, 17, pleaded guilty at Tauranga District to stealing a 99c chocolate bar in Queenstown on June 22.

The unemployed man had argued he was hungry and had no money to pay for the food. He tried to convince Judge Thomas Ingram that a fine was appropriate for his offence.

"How are you going to pay a fine when you can't even afford a chocolate bar?" Judge Thomas Ingram asked.

Judge Ingram said a fine was inadequate and sentenced Cook to 40 hours of community work.

"Two or three of these convictions and you will be Waikeria [prison] bound. That's about all you will leave the court open to do next time," he said.

"Just think hard about what it would be like lining up in the shower with all the boys with a bar of soap in your hand."

Judge Ingram questioned police prosecutor David Pawson as to why Cook had not been offered police diversion.

Mr Pawson said Cook had been offered diversion in the past but failed to complete it.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES