Bail was granted for a woman with a long history of theft and trespass who allegedly enticed children to assist with her stealing.
The woman appeared in Masterton District Court yesterday facing charges of wilful trespass and burglary.
Judge Barbara Morris called the offending “ballistic”.
“There were no charges from 2013-2020 but then there was a ballistic amount of offending over a short time.
“Police say there is strong evidence against [the woman], including CCTV footage and a bag of clothing.
“Police also are concerned of her effect on younger people, of her negative way of enticing young people to crime.”
The latest charges included stealing $234 worth of clothing allegedly stolen from The Warehouse in Masterton. She allegedly used a 15-year-old girl to help with the theft.
Judge Morris granted bail under the condition of 24-hour monitoring and the woman would be unable to leave her residential property without being accompanied by her mother.
She was also required to undergo drug and alcohol counselling and testing to prevent further offending.
However, the woman denied her actions were caused by her addiction. Instead, she blamed her housing troubles.
She said she had been trying to connect with Kainga Ora about locating her property or assisting with new property.
“So I started pinching because they couldn’t even tell me where my stuff went.
“I tried talking with Kainga Ora and I tried talking with Probation, but they don’t provide those services.”
During the court appearance the woman cried, interrupted and at one point appeared to lie down on the floor.
However, compassion was given as the woman’s mother was currently looking after her children and needed assistance doing so.
Police expressed a final concern about a sign on the gate to her property that said ‘no police’.
“I will rip that down today,” she said.
She was told to reappear in court later this month.
