Forum: Off Topic

Thread (Discussion): Burglar tackled by elderly club members 'humiliated'

An "incompetent" burglar who was tackled by elderly members of a petanque club would never again be able to hold his head up among his criminal peers, his lawyer told Christchurch District Court today.

Clinton Michael Dearman, 38, was in court for sentence after admitting charges of burglary and aggravated assault at Christchurch Petanque Club on December 11.

Dearman broke into the club and stacked goods on both floors before being challenged by club members who tackled and tied him up until police arrived.

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At sentencing today, Dearman's lawyer, Michael Knowles, urged Judge Michael Crosbie to regard the publicity and humiliation his client had suffered as a result of media attention as a mitigating factor.

[snip]

Judge Crosbie told Dearman he had little sympathy for his plight. He had brought the media attention on himself and that would be considered by some to be "just desserts".

The Judge said Dearman had complained to a probation officer that the media attention was unwarranted and that he wasn't a sex offender or a murderer.

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