A teenager who admitted stealing cash and interfering with a vehicle earlier this year was told not to be a ``loser'' by Judge Nevin Dawson in the Queenstown District Court yesterday.
Blair Middleton (17), of Lake Hayes, had earlier admitted stealing $12.90 and interfering with a vehicle, both on April 24, and stealing $5.50 in coins, the property of the Rotary Club of Queenstown, on May 11.
Defence counsel Joseph Mooney had applied for a discharge without conviction. A judge had earlier given an indication it would be granted provided Middleton had completed 40 hours' voluntary community work by yesterday, but Middleton had completed only 33 hours, with the Salvation Army.
Middleton told Judge Dawson he'd just gained employment as a building apprentice and was in his first week. Judge Dawson said his employment was ``to be encouraged'' and granted him the discharge, but advised him to make better choices in the future.
``Get cracking with your life.
``Get going in that employment; find a way to keep yourself busy. Don't come back here again on anything like this.
``You've got a choice to make - you can be a loser and come back here ... or get on with your life and have a decent life.''
