Timaru man jailed over six-month South Island crime spree

Matthew Littlewood

17:00, Jul 30 2021

Yashas Srinivasa/Stuff

Dairy Holdings Ltd and Corysrton Ltd have been sentenced for their role in a quad bike death. (File)

A Timaru man who went on a crime spree across the South Island has been jailed for two years after admitting 28 separate charges.

Lance Alan Hibberd's offending took place between July and December 2020 and was spread from South and Mid-Canterbury across to the West Coast.

Hibberd was arrested in a Twizel bar on December 23 following a tip-off to police.

The 37-year-old had admitted 12 charges of burglary, eight charges of theft, five charges of using a bank card to pecuniary advantage, one charge of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, one charge of unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle and one charge of breach of bail at an earlier hearing before appearing for sentencing before Judge Joanna Maze in the District Court, Timaru, on Thursday.

The burglaries included several homes in South Canterbury, the Mayfield Golf Club, Rakaia Squash Club, Methven Bowling Club, Matheson Café in Fox Glacier (twice), Department of Conservation campsites at Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and the NZ Alpine Lavender Farm on Mt Cook Rd, Ben Ohau.

His haul included firearms from a number of vehicles, while he also stole Macbooks, a wallet with over $2800 cash, trailers, and on one occasion he broke into two shipping containers and stole a Suzuki trail bike. He stole a Toyota Hiace van, which he painted black and white from Lake Ohau Rd, and a Nissan Nivara.

He also took someone’s bank card and withdrew more than $2140 over a series of transactions.

Supplied

Lance Hibberd in a photo released by police in 2020.

Defence counsel Paul Bradford urged Judge Maze to give Hibberd a sentence of intensive supervision.

During his offending, Hibberd had been living the life of a “hermit”, particularly after his ACC payments were cancelled.

“Prior to Mr Hibberd's descent into a situation that was hellish, there was a reduction of his offending,” Bradford said.

“I believe he's made great steps acknowledging his needs.

“I don't think prison is a place where he will have any chance of him getting better. Far more can be achieved if we can get him better. He wants to be a productive member of society.”

Judge Maze said prison was the only option for Hibberd, despite Bradford’s pleas.

“The doctor's report says you had a supportive upbringing but developed a rebellious attitude at an early age. You used cannabis at 13, and other drugs followed,'' Judge Maze said.

“You've shown a marked improvement in remand. Your offending is the price you have been paying for your addiction.”

Judge Maze discounted the sentence for the early guilty plea and expressions of remorse, and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment.