Gary Ramon Neville Green (44) took the valuable antique from his flatmate after breaking into his bedroom in July.
He also stole an air rifle, watch, electronic tablet and ring, worth a few hundred dollars. The majority of it turned up after Green co-operated with police, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
But the status of the amulet remains a mystery. Probation understood the 5cm by 2.5cm piece had been destroyed; police simply said it was unrecovered.But Mr Snelling, who was given it by an elderly monk five years ago for his work fighting child exploitation, is not giving up hope.
"I actually believe it’s still out there," he said.
He told the ODT he had been to Green’s property, where it had supposedly been smashed, and found no trace of it — only the waterproof sterling silver case it had been in.
Mr Snelling said the "unique" item could be up to 700 years old.
Though the court had put a cost on the amulet, he said the sentimental value made it "priceless".
Green appeared before the Dunedin District Court yesterday after admitting the theft and an unrelated charge of threatening behaviour.
Judge Michael Turner said his first instinct was to jail the defendant for the extreme abuse of trust, combined with the man’s lengthy criminal history of dishonesty.
However, he was persuaded by defence counsel Anne Leonard’s submissions in relation to her client’s "complex mental-health issues".
Over the years, Green had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic problems.
Ms Leonard said he had essentially spent the last decade in and out of jail and really needed intensive treatment.
"He’s certainly at a stage where his mental health is more stable," she said.
"He’s grabbing hold of the opportunity now and wants to make the most of it."
The court heard Green was remorseful and willing to pay back the $64,620 he owed Mr Snelling.
However, the victim was sceptical and said the defendant had previously gloated about his criminal exploits.
"He knows the system ... he’s a highly intelligent bloke; just a menace to society," he said.
The judge called Green’s offer to pay reparation "hollow" given the man had not worked for 20 years and could afford to contribute only $20 a week. On that basis, it would take him more than 60 years to repay his former flatmate, he said.
Instead, Judge Turner ordered reparation of $5000, as well as $217 to cover other items sold to pawnbrokers.
Rather than jail, he sentenced Green to six months’ community detention, on a weekend curfew.
"Thank you for this last chance, your honour," the defendant said.
Mr Snelling had no doubt his former friend would be back in the dock, given time.
And what of the amulet?
"He’ll never make money from it," he said.
"If he gets it out of the country, it’ll turn up in Thailand and come straight back to me."