A man involved in a 600km crime spree which sparked a major police operation and an armed offenders callout at Palmerston has been jailed for nine years and 11 months.
His female associate has been jailed for 22
months.
Christopher Daniel Shaw (26), panel beater, and Stacey Estelle (21), company director, both of Palmerston North, appeared for sentencing before Justice John Fogarty in the High Court at Timaru yesterday.
The crime spree took place from January 30 to February 2 this year, ending when the pair were caught near Palmerston.
Police earlier estimated Shaw and Snelleksz were to be sentenced on 56 and 48 charges respectively, including 37 each for cheque fraud.
Others included mistreating children, receiving, theft and burglary.
Shaw was also sentenced on five counts of using a firearm against police, which, Justice Fogarty said, was the most serious offending.
The second most serious was the neglect by both defendants of the two children.
The couple, concerned that Snelleksz's two children might be removed by Child, Youth and Family, decided to "go bush", Justice Fogarty said.
They committed "numerous" dishonesty offences, including stealing a Land Rover, kitchenware, groceries, a trailer, camping equipment and food.
On February 2, the couple were spotted by police in the
stolen Land Rover with a trailer attached.
Both were packed with the stolen goods, including a .22 rifle, shotgun and ammunition.
Snelleksz drove at high speed while being pursued by police cars and swerved past road spikes.
Police officers in a following car said a rifle was pointed out the passenger window at them.
It was then swung 90 degrees and fired as the Land Rover went past two constables standing near their car.
Both dived for cover.
Snelleksz later lost control and the vehicle crashed into a tree.
Some experienced police witnesses were surprised anyone walked away from the crash, Justice Fogarty said.
The couple, with the two children, walked 5km to 6km, shadowed by police.
Shaw "quite deliberately" aimed the .22 rifle at the officers.
Shaw had a "deplorable" criminal record and had only recently been released from prison.
He clearly had the greatest responsibility for the offending and had put the two police officers' lives at risk, Justice Fogarty said.
Parliament had made it very clear that use of firearms against police was an extremely serious offence.
Police in New Zealand were largely unarmed and, whether armed or not, should not be exposed to the danger of firearms used against them.
The two children had been at risk of losing their lives, given the speed at which the vehicle was driven and that Shaw was brandishing a rifle while carrying one of the children.
There were many dishonesty offences.
Police were claiming about $45,000 in reparation, the total loss inflicted on the owners of the stolen goods.
They ranged from those of modest means - a solo mother whose children's clothing was stolen - to the quite wealthy.
Snelleksz had no previous convictions and, until the offending, had "made a very good fist of life, particularly when one knows, as I do, the very unfortunate early beginnings of your life", Justice Fogarty said.
He did not make an order for reparation against Shaw because of the length of his prison sentence and because he already owed more than $9000.
But he felt it was appropriate for Snelleksz, who was returning to the community soon, to make "significant amends", and she was ordered to pay reparation of $15,000.
Snelleksz was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and Shaw for 12.
Appearing for the Crown, Tim Gresson said Snelleksz had allowed her children to be used as "human shields".
Also, despite the serious crash, she had not stopped and cared for her children.
She had fled with Shaw and continued to try to evade police, Mr Gresson said.
Snelleksz began crying as she walked from the dock after yesterday's sentencing.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Mike Ryder, the officer in charge of the case, said the risk faced by police during the pursuit was "far above" what was expected.