A helicopter with its keys left in it was as tempting for a Wellington man as finding a Ferrari with keys inside parked on the street, Wellington District Court was told yesterday.
Timothy Hellner was sentenced to 100 hours community work and to pay $355 in reparation when he pleaded guilty to interfering with a vehicle, The Dominion Post reported.
The unemployed 22-year-old told police curiosity got the better of him when he saw the unattended $450,000 Helipro Robinson R44 at Queens Wharf on June 11.
He was able to start the master battery, engage the clutch and activate landing gear and navigation equipment before Helipro staff hauled him out of the chopper.
He and friends with him ran off, but were soon caught by police.
Hellner's lawyer Bill Johnson said leaving the keys in the helicopter was "like leaving the keys to a Ferrari parked on the street".
- NZPA
Man tempted by keys in helicopter, court told
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