A man found guilty of a raft of burglary charges was sentenced in Masterton District Court yesterday.
Phillip Hall appeared in court to be sentenced on three counts of burglary, one of receiving property over $1000, and one of driving with a suspended license.
Defence counsel Andra Mobberly said Hall had spent significant time on restricted bail conditions and she recommended a combination of supervision and a community-based sentence.
“He needs his license for his family, who have been supporting him unstintingly for a long period of time,” Mobberly said.
“He also has work options available, where he will need to drive to Masterton.”
Hall’s offending took place in Masterton, Carterton, and Taratahi in 2022 and 2023.
Judge Katie Elkin said there were multiple burglary incidents and victims.
“One was from a garden shed, where you took $2000,” Elkin said.
“From another property, you took four bikes.”
Elkin said the charge of receiving property referred to a stolen e-scooter found in Hall’s possession.
Raising the victim impact statements, Elkin said one of the victims was at home at the time the burglary took place.
“She said she felt scared in what is supposed to be her safe place, her sanctuary.”
Another victim mentioned the impact the loss of their bikes had on him and his children. The total loss for victims was about $18,000.
Turning to Hall’s background, Elkin said she was mindful of various factors that influenced his offending, including a history of trauma.
“There are a number of psychological issues linked to offending and addiction issues,” Elkin said.
“You are remorseful for what you’ve done, have self-referred yourself to Pathways [a local mental health service], and have been in rehabilitation.”
Elkin also acknowledged that Hall had displayed good behaviour on bail and had done well with a 24-hour curfew over the past seven months.
Hall was sentenced to two and a half months of community detention and 18 months of supervision subject to sentence conditions.
He was also ordered to pay $4500 in reparations.
