An "out of it" man who sped through the streets of Alexandra in a stolen vehicle and burnt out four cars was undone by a GPS tracker.
Simon Jack Atherton, 33, appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week after earlier pleading guilty to arson, unlawfully taking a vehicle, dishonestly using a document, dangerous driving and aggravated disqualified driving.
The court heard that on August 5, after finding a hidden key, the defendant stole a company car owned by Road Transport Logistics. Unbeknownst to him, a GPS tracker in the car was recording his every move.
He sped down the Chatto Creek-Springvale road (State Highway 85) at 179kmh, triggering an email alert to the company.
In the car, Atherton found two fuel cards and tried to use them multiple times at two petrol stations, but did not know the pin.
Atherton then made his way to Maclean Rd, where four cars were parked.
He set fire to one vehicle and the flames engulfed the other three, damaging them beyond repair. The incident was captured on CCTV.
Atherton then stopped by his home for about 25 minutes before driving the stolen car 300m away, ripping off the company-branded stickers, locking the car and walking back to his house.
Because the whereabouts of the vehicle was being recorded, police were told where it was parked and found it shortly after.
Officers found a red fuel can in the boot with the letter "A" spray-painted on the side.
In a backpack at the defendant’s house were the keys to the stolen work car, a company fuel card and the clothes he was wearing when he committed the crimes. More fuel cans with the letter "A" spray-painted on them were found, as well as a used glass methamphetamine pipe and two empty resealable bags.
Atherton initially told police he was not involved in the matter, but after he was confronted with the evidence against him, he confessed.
He said he was "down and lonely" and had been on a late-night walk when he committed the crimes.
Counsel Paige Noorland said her client had been using non-prescribed medication and methamphetamine as a "coping mechanism".
Despite Atherton saying he was "not that keen on programmes", he had taken accountability for his offending and wanted to rehabilitate, Ms Noorland said.
Judge David Robinson said the defendant showed some positive signs but it was too early to tell if he would refrain from drug use.
"Effectively, you were out of it and ... your offending stemmed from that," the judge said.
"What that underscores is just the risk that you pose to the community in that state, driving in that manner and causing the damage you did by fire."
Atherton had told a report writer he wanted to get off methamphetamine, but was not willing to give up cannabis.
"You can’t say ‘I’m gonna rehabilitate’ if cannabis is still on the menu for you," Judge Robinson said.
The judge said Atherton’s apology to the victim at a restorative justice meeting seemed genuine.
Judge Robinson sentenced Atherton to two years nine months’ imprisonment and remitted his unpaid fines of $14,000.
He disqualified the defendant from driving for 12 months and ordered him to pay reparation of about $10,000.
