A Mosgiel man stole a pensioner’s wallet and went on a shopping spree while the victim was on his way to report the crime.
Hone Bita Malcolm Tipa McQueen, 27, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to unlawfully using a bank card, theft, dangerous driving, possessing an offensive weapon, assault in a family relationship and two charges of wilful damage.
The court heard that on August 28, the defendant was a passenger in a car in Crawford St.
At a red light, McQueen got out of the car and approached a man in the passenger seat of the other car.
He punched the door before opening it and yelling at the 71-year-old passenger.
McQueen grabbed the man’s wallet and took it back to his associate’s car before they drove away.
While the victim was on his way to the police station to report the crime, McQueen made multiple online transactions using the victim’s bank card.
He also visited petrol stations and bought fuel, alcohol, cigarettes, coupons, food, tools, spray paint and clothing.
Fifteen transactions were made and $1284.83 spent.
Police located McQueen at his Mosgiel address. In his pocket was the victim’s wallet containing receipts for the items purchased with the stolen cash.
About a month later McQueen was driving on the wrong side of the road, forcing another vehicle to take evasive action.
The defendant indicated for the driver of the other car to wind down his window and yelled abuse at the passenger in the vehicle.
McQueen then grabbed a steel wheel brace from his car and began smashing the victims’ wing mirror and door.
Later, the defendant saw the victims’ vehicle and swerved at them again, narrowly avoiding a collision.
Earlier on July 7, McQueen punched his partner in the face after she asked him for a lighter.
As she was running out of the room, McQueen shut the door on her hand.
Later that day the defendant smashed his partner’s phone on the table before throwing it across the room.
Counsel John Westgate said his client was using methamphetamine at the time of his offending and when he was not on drugs he was a very polite man.
Judge Dominic Flatley said staying sober was McQueen’s best chance of improving his life.
"It’s a very long path to undo everything that has happened and undo the person that you have become," the judge said.
"That’s your best chance of staying away from here and out of prison."
He sentenced the defendant to 12 months’ imprisonment and ordered him to pay reparation of $1140.
McQueen was disqualified from driving for nine months and would be subject to a zero-alcohol licence once that ended.
