Home detention for conviction no 50

The Herald reports:

A ‘‘prolific’’ thief with more than 50 previous convictions has avoided being sent back to jail despite her latest shoplifting spree reaping more than $2500 worth of stolen goods from five Rotorua stores.

The sentence has disappointed a Rotorua security expert who believes thieves will continue to rip off retailers unless harsher sentences are given.

It is clear she will not stop stealing. So the choice is to either protect retailers from her, or allow her to carry on.

This was despite Tonihi reading the court a letter of remorse saying she was “truly sorry” for her actions. She said at the time: “I beg you to find it in your heart to forgive me. I do want to change not just for myself but for my babies.”

You know what would be a good piece of investigative journalism (but would need a change to OIA laws) would be to get the transcripts of all 50 of her court appearances. And summarise for each one what she said, which no doubt would be similar lines of remorse. You could also summarise what the Judge said each time, including no doubt variations along “I believe you can change, and will give you a chance”.

I’d love to see a future National-led Government change the law, so that all court records are online (subject to clean slate law) and searchable.

Watchdog Security managing director Brett Wilson said he and his staff had dealt with Tonihi several times before.

Wilson said, in his opinion, this case was an example of an offender mocking the system.

He said, generally speaking, offenders who were before the courts often learned from an early age if they said sorry and expressed remorse they could have their sentences reduced.

In his view: “There is a focus on the offenders and their tough upbringings but a the end of the day, when are we going to take into account the harm that comes to the victims? It is simply not happening.”

Exactly.