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Stole computers to pay for drug habit
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Tue, 7 Apr 2009
News: Dunedin

The pre-sentence report says that you have said prison does not worry you and it is in fact your home or second homeA MAN who stole more than $20,000 worth of laptop computers to pay for a drug habit told Probation he was not worried about going to prison as it was like his "second home".

Dain Wayne Manukau (31), unemployed, of Milburn, was jailed for three years and four months when he appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday for sentence on five charges, including theft and burglary.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said drugs were clearly a significant issue for Manukau and he was "consumed with the pursuit of drugs" and having to steal to pay for them.

"The pre-sentence report says that you have said prison does not worry you and it is in fact your home or second home."

The police summary said the defendant went to PB Technologies in South Dunedin on January 15, where he spent a short time looking at laptop computers on display, before taking two, valued at about $6300, and leaving the store, making no attempt to pay for them.

A staff member followed him and tried to move the keys from the ignition of his car, but Manukau drove off at speed, while the staff member was still partially in the vehicle.

On January 20, the defendant went back to the store with an unknown associate about 2am. He smashed a front window of the shop, climbed in and took 13 laptop computers, with a combined value of about $17, 000.

Further charges of dangerous driving and failing to stop arose on January 22.

An unmarked police car attempted to stop Manukau in Middleton Rd, but he pulled out on to the wrong side of the road and passed a van in front of him.

The defendant accelerated to speeds of 90kmh in a 50kmh zone and almost lost control of his vehicle on a moderate bend.

Police had to abandon the pursuit as it became too dangerous, but he was located at his address a short time later.

Two of the stolen laptops were found at his home.

Counsel Ann Stevens said Manukau's drug addiction had been "prolonged and deep-seated".

Judge O'Driscoll said the defendant had a "significant list" of previous convictions and had been imprisoned 13 times since 1995.

A three-year jail term was imposed for the burglary and theft, and a further cumulative two months for dangerous driving.

An existing intensive supervision sentence was cancelled and replaced with a two-month jail term, cumulative on the previous terms.

For failing to stop he was convicted and discharged, and for breaching intensive supervision on January 12 he was given concurrent two months of imprisonment.

Reparation was sought but no order was made due to Manukau's "complete and utter inability to pay".