Alleged burglar who boasted on social media bashed in street

A man took the law into his own hands after recognising a boastful burglar on a Rotorua street, a court has heard.

Awa Tyrone Shannon Tukiri, 21, was sentenced in Rotorua District Court this week to four months' home detention after earlier pleading guilty to robbery.

Judge James Weir said the incident happened on Hinemoa St in August last year.

Tukiri saw the victim in the passenger seat of a parked car, walked over and started talking to him.

"You then attacked him basically," the judge said.

Tukiri pulled the man out of the car and pushed him into the Side Pocket Bar, punching him repeatedly to the head and stealing his mobile phone.

In explanation Tukiri told police he recognised the victim as someone who had burgled a family member's house.

Judge Weir said that was fleshed out by the probation officer's report, which stated the victim had allegedly burgled Tukiri's cousin.

"He [the victim] allegedly boasted about this act through social media.

"Through that you recognised him and carried out the actions you did."

The judge said Tukiri was remorseful and regretted taking the law into his own hands instead of going to the police.

Tukiri had strong support from his family, the judge said.