No reduction in war medal theft sentence

The damaged cabinets where VC's and George medals were stolen at the weekend from the Army Museum. File photo / NZPA

A 13-year prison sentence handed down to one of the men who stole 96 war medals from the Waiouru Army Museum will not be reduced, the Supreme Court has ruled.

James Kapa, along with Ronald van Wakeren, outraged the nation when the pair were paid a $200,000 reward for the safe return of the military treasures, which they had stolen from the museum in December 2007.

Kapa was sentenced to 14 years, six months in prison after pleading guilty but after appealing the sentence last year the Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to 13 years, three months.

Kapa took his appeal to the Supreme Court, but a judgement released today found the 13-year sentence given to Kapa was "fully justified".

Kapa's appeal raised no arguable question of principle and the sentence and minimum non-prole period was not excessive, Justices Peter Blanchard, Andrew Tipping and John McGrath ruled.

While Kapa cannot appeal his sentence any further now, the Supreme Court did rule he could appeal an order for reparation of $100,000.

When the two men handed back the medals they were each given a $100,000 reward. Van Wakeren returned his, but Kapa never did.

The Supreme Court ruled he could appeal the sentence of reparation on the grounds of whether it complied with the requirements of the Sentencing Act.

Van Wakeren and Kapa broke into the Waiouru Army Museum in 2007 and stole 96 medals, including the Victoria Cross won by Charles Upham.

In February 2008, the medals were returned after a deal was brokered by barrister Chris Comeskey.