A housekeeper at a Queenstown hotel has no memory of breaking into three rooms at the hotel he was employed at on New Year’s Eve, helping himself to property belonging to overseas guests.
Roman Sindurakar (27), of Fernhill, yesterday admitted three charges of burglary at the hotel, which was given permanent name suppression.
Prosecuting sergeant Ian Collin said Sindurakar had been employed at the hotel as a supervisor of housekeeping for about four years.
At 11pm on December 31 he walked around the exterior of the hotel attempting to open multiple doors, and entering rooms.
From one he took a drink bottle, a games console, headphones, and an electric shaver; from another he took a backpack containing items including cosmetics and clothes, valued at $600; and from a third he stole a wallet and other personal items.
While in a room Sindurakar was disturbed by a victim who was unsuccessful in trying to restrain him.
During the struggle he dropped a stolen hat and sustained a scratch to his left hand.
The next day police spoke to the defendant who denied any knowledge of the offending but identified himself in CCTV footage.
"He stated he had no recollection — he couldn’t explain [how] it had come into his possession."
Defence counsel Tanya Surrey said Sindurakar was "remorseful in the extreme".
"He’s already ... lost his job, he’s going to have some major issues with Immigration should he wish to remain in New Zealand and issues [obtaining] further employment.
"He has a major alcohol problem ... he has absolutely no recollection of the events of New Year’s Eve."
Ms Surrey said Sindurakar had blacked out from alcohol consumption and was "horrified" to discover what he had done "in the cold light of day".
Judge Farnan, describing it as "most unfortunate" offending, sentenced him to six months’ supervision, with special conditions, and ordered him to complete 80 hours’ community work on each charge, to be served concurrently, which could be converted to training.
