Theft breach of trust - judge

A former Rotorua moving company worker who stole $32,000 worth of jewellery has been sentenced to 250 hours' community work.

Ross Junior Hudson, 42, was sentenced in the Rotorua District Court yesterday for theft of two rings, a gold bracelet and a small silver cherub charm on June 18.

Hudson sold the jewellery to a second-hand dealer for $500.60. The jewellery has been recovered but the two rings were damaged.

Judge Phillip Cooper ordered Hudson to pay reparation of $3100 to repair the rings and sentenced him to six months supervision and 250 hours community work.

Judge Cooper took into consideration Hudson's guilty plea.

"It is a very serious breach of trust. You were at the complainant's property to assess how the move would be undertaken," he said.

"This has been a very distressing offence for the complainant. The rings had great sentimental value."

Judge Cooper also raised a concern about the jewellery being bought at a very low cost by a second-hand dealer, but would leave that matter with police.

According to the police summary of facts, Hudson was an employee of a moving company engaged to move the victim's property from her Tikitere home to her new address.

Nothing was to be moved from the master bedroom on the first day.

However, workers were to take a quick look at the room to check what large items would need to be moved the next day.

Hudson went into the bedroom's walk-in wardrobe and grabbed a gold bracelet and the charm from a jewellery box.

On his way out, he took two rings from the vanity in the ensuite bathroom.

Defence lawyer Andy Schulze said Hudson was currently unemployed and would start reparation payments at $10 per week.

Hudson also faced sentencing yesterday on an earlier charge of assault.

He was sentenced to nine months supervision, supported by positive statements from the complainant and his restorative justice programme.