Stephen Luke Braithwaite, 44, was sentenced on Tuesday afternoon to 250 hours’ community service for the theft last year, from St Johns Cemetery, worth more than $7000.
The community work came on top of an existing 120 hours he received in December.
His name suppression was lifted at Tuesday’s appearance.
Braithwaite was charged in January and later pleaded guilty to the charges.
Otago, Southland RSA president Lox Kellas said he was happy with the outcome.
‘‘I was a policeman for 43 years ... justice has been served because 250 hours is a reasonable length of time to work off.’’
The incident was a ‘‘bloody disgrace’’ and he hoped the sentence would give Braithwaite a chance to reflect on his actions.
‘‘I think the police did a great job.
‘‘They did the required investigation, the defendant was apprehended and dealt with in the appropriate manner.’’
He wanted this to be a reminder to people that the memorial plaques were placed in the cemetery as a tribute to those who served.
‘‘That’s the reality, we have a duty of care to look after those sites.’’
Awarua RSA president Ian Beker echoed Mr Kellas’ views, and added he hoped Braithwaite’s community work helped those he had affected.
‘‘[Community work] was what I originally suggested that he do ... he can go down to the cemetery and scrub tombstones.’’
He was pleased there would be consequences for the harm caused, saying ‘‘maybe they’ll get the message’’.
‘‘People tend to think it only matters twice a year, Anzac Day, Armistice Day ... if we don’t keep the remembrance alive and pay respect to those who have gone, we’re going to lose all that.’’
The theft is believed to have taken place between October 28 and November 22 last year.
Staff from St Johns Cemetery said they saw all the plaques in October during maintenance checks after a storm.
Braithwaite had claimed he found the plaques while walking along the Invercargill estuary near Appleby.
He gave them to his son and told him to take them to a scrap business in Invercargill, saying the manager would know who to return them to.
On November 22, Braithwaite and several other men went to the premises, but the defendant could not enter because he did not have valid identification.
A young man entered with a bag and handed it to the manager. Upon opening it, the manager discovered the nine brass plaques.
He seized the items and told the man they were handing them over to police.
Four of the plaques were linked to deceased service personnel from World War 1 and World War 2, including an extremely rare ‘‘Death Plaque’’ from WW1.
Judge Mark Williams said the missing plaques would have caused significant stress to many people.
‘‘Their true value in terms of sentimental value and in the history of New Zealand and Southland is incalculable.’’
On January 6, police formally interviewed Braithwaite in relation to the theft of the plaques.
When asked why he did not immediately turn the items in to the authorities, he said he did not like police.
He had previous convictions, the most recent being driving-related offences.
Several of the plaques were damaged to the point of needing to be replaced but Judge Williams said affected parties were not seeking reparations.
