Corey John Knox, 40, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to a burglary of Peter Robb’s home.
Mr Robb made global headlines following an internet romance gone wrong in 2009 when a German woman, who he had met on MySpace and spent almost a month with, called for help, prompting an armed-police raid.
Mr Robb was discovered dead in his home in 2024.
His death was treated as unexplained and referred to the coroner.
The court heard that on November 13, 2024 Knox, along with a co-defendant, searched the property for valuables and returned later that day, calling in an associate for help.
The trio then used a drill and hacksaw to cut through a padlocked chain on the front gate, alerting neighbours, who called the police.
The defendants moved a Triumph motorcycle on to a ute before two of them took it to the East Taieri Dairy where they had arranged to meet a buyer.
Yesterday, Counsel Philip Ross argued his client got roped into the crime, which the lead offender had already planned.
He said Knox "got talked into something and foolishly participated", but his criminal responsibility was less than the lead offender.
A probation report assessed him as posing a low risk of re-offending.
Judge David Robinson sentenced Knox to 200 hours’ community work.
"If it sounds dodgy it probably is dodgy and is gonna lead you straight back here, so think twice next time," the judge said.
The lead offender, Mathew Tyler, was sentenced to two years nine months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the burglary and a raft of other charges.
The third co-defendant received diversion for his lesser involvement in the crime.
