A young Napier man was sentenced on Friday to three years and nine months' jail for an assault and multiple burglaries, including the ram-raiding of a country town's general store.
Hawi Robert Kingi was aged just 20 when he hit the Takapau Four Square late on the night of April 10.
In Napier District Court it was revealed the same man had been responsible for several burglaries in and around his home area, stretching from Richmond and Shackleton Sts and Maxwell Place in Maraenui and Seddon Cr in Marewa to Kaiwaka Rd, north of Bay View.
Judge Geoff Rea was not prepared to take into account the offender's youth, starting calculations at four years and three months for the burglaries, uplifting 9 months for the violence, which included hitting the victim with a metal clamp along with punches and kicks, and discounting 25 per cent to recognise guilty pleas which saved court time and the costs of a trial.
But, noting Kingi had two previous convictions for burglary in adult courts and more burglaries dealt with in his days in the Youth Court, the Judge said Kingi had run out of reasons his age could be used as any excuse.
The Crown prosecutor had said that given Kingi's "lack of insight" any discount should be moderate.
The Takapau raid happened about 11.25pm on a Monday when a vehicle crashed through the front window and a cigarettes and tobacco cabinet was stolen.
With police already on the way after a report of a burglary at the Takapau Tennis Club, and a chase ensued which ended with police apprehending a 16-year-old, and police starting the hunt for four others.
Kingi had pleaded guilty to six charges of burglary, one of assault with a weapon, and three each of unlawfully taking or using a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and failing to stop for police.