Jesse Hemi, 25, was convicted on five counts of obtaining by deception, three counts of burglary and another theft charge.

One of those burglary charges related to a break in of the Hampstead Rugby Sport ground.

Hemi and a co offender drove to the grounds at 3.40pm on June 2, where they broke into the club building.

“There’s a genuine burglary, a degree of significant premeditation … you took bolt cutters,” said Judge Dravitzki.

They then loaded $360 worth of sports equipment into their vehicle before heading to a nearby shipping container, breaking in and taking another $360 worth of sports gear, first aid equipment and tools.

A week later, with kids in the car, Hemi and the co offender broke into a building site and stole $5000 worth of construction tools and materials.

“It was a substantial amount you were taking,” Judge Dravitzki said.

“The burglary of the sports club emphasises how much of a hassle this was.”

He said those who maintain the club and grounds volunteer their time, and that they’d now have to spend precious club money on asset and building restoration.

“It’s far more of an imposition, probably, than you thought it would be.”

The internet offending related to a number of scam listings Hemi had put up on Facebook Marketplace.

Hemi would list an item, like a hair straightener, on Facebook and send interested purchasers her bank account, asking they pay in advance before she handed over the items.

She did not respond to purchases following the deposit, accumulating around $570 through scam victims.

“The internet offending was persistent and deliberate,” Dravitzki said.

The likely sentence for Hemi was a three-year jail term, but Dravitzki was able to reduce the sentence to 14 months, which was converted into seven months of home detention.

Not guilty plea entered

An Allenton man pleaded not guilty to common assault and careless driving charges.

Jackson Stanley Oliver Cotton, 23, was in the Ashburton District Court facing the two charges this week.

He pleaded not guilty to both, and elected for a judge-alone trial.

Judge Dravitzki said Cotton had received a community work sentence for a prior charge that was mostly incomplete.

“I see you’re on a sentence of community work which you’re not doing.”

“Unless you tell me you have been back there since 30th October, I suggest you get back there quick-smart.”

He will be back in court for trial next year.

Hampstead man remanded

Matthew John Gordon, 37, faced charges for dangerous driving, procuring cannabis plants and refusing to comply with an officer.

He entered a not guilty plea and has been remanded on bail until February next year.

Drink driving

Hampstead man Peter Noel Guiney, 61, faced a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol.

Guiney had been stopped by police and blew a breath alcohol reading of 683 micrograms – the legal limit is 250 micrograms.

He’d been on his way back from the Devon Tavern, lawyer Tiffany McRae said, and told police he’d had three Bourbon and cokes before getting behind the wheel.

McRae noted Guiney had a record, but from a long time ago – he’d offended in 2007 and 2004 before that.

“He’s otherwise a fairly good driver,” she said, noting he had no demerit points.

“He doesn’t consider he has a need for help with alcohol?” Judge Dravitzki asked.

McRae said he doesn’t, and considering his sparse record, there was no reason to suspect otherwise.

She asked Dravitzki to consider a sentence that was “not high intensity,” due to Guiney’s health.

“He’s had knee surgery, hip surgery and shoulder surgery over the last decade or so,” she said.

Dravitzki told Guiney his breath alcohol reading was quite high.

“You were significantly impaired.”

He convicted Guiney, sentenced him to 90 hours of community work, and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.