Corey Hondelink may be well on the way to becoming world famous in New Zealand.
The 50-year-old Palmerston man appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week where he admitted a charge of theft in a special relationship - a relatively common crime, but with a unique background.
Hondelink, a manager at Palmerston’s McGregor’s Tearooms and an employee of 20 years there, was not caught with his hand in the till as such.
From January 2023 until recently, the defendant stole 285 cartons of L&P.
With each one containing eight 1.5-litre bottles of soft drink, it amounted to a dizzying 2280 bottles - 3420 total litres, worth $7286.
To put it in perspective, that is enough to fill about 10 children’s paddling pools.
The gigantic L&P bottle in Paeroa is estimated to have a hypothetical volume of 6750 litres: Hondelink’s stolen haul would have more than half filled it.
The theft had left a sour taste with owner Bernie Sugrue.
‘‘As an employer of about 30-odd people it’s very alarming and disappointing when this happens, especially when you’ve got someone in charge of your business,’’ he said.
‘‘You sort of want to have trust in your employees. You don’t want to be on their case every minute.’’
Mr Sugrue was hopeful of financial compensation but less than optimistic.
‘‘The decent thing to do would be to repay it. But hey, it’s out of my hands now,’’ he said.
Hondelink’s crime spanned 1198 days.
To down all the stolen L&P, he would have to be getting through nearly two bottles a day.
So, where did it all go?
Hondelink, who had cannabis and drug-utensil convictions from 2013, initially told police he had paid for the fizzy drinks using cash from his pokie winnings.
He was less than effervescent when contacted by the Otago Daily Times.
‘‘No comment,’’ he said.
Hondelink was remanded on bail by Judge Emma Parsons, who ordered a report to consider the viability of an electronically monitored penalty.
He will be sentenced in September.
Busy with the fizzy
• 1198 days
• 285 cartons of bottled L&P
• 2280 bottles
• 3420 litres
