Jeremy Mark Ching, 47, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday by video-link and pleaded guilty to shoplifting from Macpac — although he claimed he did not commit the crime.
"There have been times I’ve done crimes and got away with them, so I thought it kind of squares the ledger," the self-represented man explained.
The court heard that on July 27 Ching entered the store and stripped down to his underwear.
He selected multiple clothing items and put them on before walking out in the new outfit.
After Ching was arrested he appeared in court claiming he was God.
"I am Lucifer, God," he announced to the courtroom.
Yesterday, the court heard Ching was subject to release conditions at the time of the offending.
He said he could not pay back the $390 for the clothing he took, but apparently had a wealthy relative.
"My brother’s King William, Prince William I mean," the defendant said.
Judge Hermann Retzlaff sentenced Ching to one month’s imprisonment.
