Prolific Tauranga burglar back behind bars

Prolific burglar Ordnay Marsh, who appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday, is back behind bars after his latest attempt to break into a Tauranga home. Photo/File

A prolific burglar, who cut himself while trying to break into a Tauranga property and left some of his blood behind, has been jailed for 19 months.

Ondray Ngatauemaha Marsh, 36, who appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday, clocked up his 18th burglary conviction after he pleaded guilty to the charge, along with two charges of breaching his prison release conditions.

On October 14 last year, Marsh tried to break into at a Tauranga home using a tool to jemmy open the doors and windows, which left groove marks on the aluminium frames.

During his break-in attempt, he cut himself and some of his blood was found on the weatherboards, the court heard.

Marsh was still subject to prison release conditions when he committed his last burglary.

The police prosecutor reminded Judge David Cameron that Marsh had 17 prior burglary convictions and also had numerous convictions for other dishonesty type offences including theft and receiving stolen property.

Lawyer Jason Owers said Marsh waived his right to wait for a pre-sentence report, knowing prison was going to be his fate and wanted to get on with his sentence.

Judge Cameron told Marsh had he had "an appalling, extensive criminal history" and prison was definitely the only option, it just came down to the matter of length.

The judge revealed Marsh had received a sentence of three months in prison for his last convictions in 2016, which related to thefts and receiving offences.

In 2012 he was jailed for two years for several dishonesty offences, including receiving.

Judge Cameron said he hoped the 19 month prison sentence he was imposing would deter Marsh and others from "repeatedly targeting" other people's properties.

Marsh was still subject to prison release conditions at the time the burglary was committed, which the judge cancelled.