A 26-year-old man who admitted unlawfully taking the "Little Sucker'' truck from a Dunedin plumbing business and driving it to Christchurch was "extremely intoxicated'' when he committed the offence, the Dunedin District Court heard today.
Jason Nash, of Dunedin, this afternoon admitted to breaking in to Barry Dell Plumbing, taking one of its suction trucks used for clearing sumps and mud traps, and stealing petrol costing $58.84 from a Caltex petrol station in Dunedin on September 15.
Once in Christchurch, Nash ditched the vehicle before calling police and advising them where he had left it, the court heard.
Nash also admitted unlawfully taking a Honda City vehicle while in Christchurch on September 22 and having 21 car keys and three altered dinner forks for car conversion when he was located by police in Balclutha later that day.
Nash had been "extremely intoxicated'' when he entered the plumbing business and took the truck, his counsel, Helgi Henderson, said.
His client could offer no explanation for taking "one of the more recognisable vehicles on the road''.
Nash was located by police early on Tuesday morning at the Rosemount Lodge in Clyde St, Balclutha.
He has pleaded not guilty to one charge of carrying a hunting knife without reasonable excuse at the time he was stopped by police.
Judge Dominic Flatley said Nash had a history littered with dishonesty-related offending and had previously breached court sentences.
He was remanded in custody for sentencing on November 6 and a jail term was highly likely, Judge Flatley said.
