Whanganui woman Mikyla Old used borrowed car to transport stolen goods

Judge Dugald Matheson told Mikyla Old he was not giving up on her and she should not give up on herself when sentencing her to community detention and supervision. Photo / Lewis Gardner

A Whanganui woman was victimised when she loaned her car to someone who used it while stealing from her.

Mikyla Mira Old had some property at the victim's house and the understanding between them was that she would retrieve it using the car the following day.

As planned, she picked her belongings up, but what happened next was not a part of the understanding.

Old returned to the house while the victim was out, stealing televisions, gaming consoles and equipment worth $3000, then transporting them away in the borrowed car.

Whanganui Police apprehended Old and charged her with theft for the offending that occurred on June 11, 2018. The vehicle and some of the items were recovered.

Old appeared in Whanganui District Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to theft and charges of assaulting police and wilful damage stemming from an incident on December 16.

Judge Dugald Matheson said Old was detained for detoxification and taken into the Whanganui Police station.

"Shortly after, two female officers tried to complete a search as they are entitled to and you didn't agree to that. You pretended to be unconscious on the floor," he said.

"As a result, one of the constables knelt down to try and be of assistance to you and you responded by swinging your right arm back which hit the police officer in the face.

"It was with an open palm and then you moved your legs around, kicked her and struck the officer in the right leg."

Old was then placed in a detoxification cell, where she tampered with a sprinkler causing it to release water and powder and set the fire alarms off.

Judge Matheson said that fortunately for Old, the fire department was informed of the situation and did not attend the scene, otherwise she would be facing a $1500 bill.

"The pre-sentence report I have says that you are a young lady whose life is in turmoil," Judge Matheson said.

"You've clearly had a problem with alcohol and you've had a history of methamphetamine use."

In the courtroom, a court security officer retrieved a box of tissues for a woman in the public gallery who was crying as the judge spoke.

When Judge Matheson asked Old if she was proud of herself, she replied "I've come a long way".

He said that Old, the mother of a 3-year-old, had returned to her family to escape some anti-social associates and had been the victim in a number of abusive relationships.

Old was sentenced to four months' community detention, 18 months' supervision and ordered to pay reparation of $375 and $261.

"I'm not giving up on you and you should not give up on your yourself," Judge Matheson said.

"Good luck young lady."