A Queenstown man who has more than 200 convictions was sentenced to two and a-half years' imprisonment after being released from prison in September last year.
Derek John Taylor (40) appeared in the Queenstown District Court yesterday before Judge Michael Turner on two charges of burglary, theft and obtaining by deception.
In November and December last year Taylor had taken copper pipes and pressure valves valued at $400 from the property of Jagg Prasend.
When police found the pipes on December 26, Taylor said he had found them in a rubbish yard in Glenorchy.
On December 30, Taylor then stole two wallets from the Queenstown Events Centre gymnasium locker rooms, taking the $320 of contents from both.
Since being released from prison, Taylor had relocated to Queenstown, which defence lawyer Katy Barker said had been a backward step for him as he did not have the support services he needed.
Miss Barker said Taylor had felt "hounded" by police since his arrival.
"He was told by one police officer he did not want him in the area. He has slipped back in to his old ways. One thing that is clear is jail has not worked. He knows he is too old for this behaviour."
Name suppression was sought for Taylor, but was not granted by judge Turner.
"I'm not persuaded that your name should be suppressed."
Taylor's charge of obtaining by deception took place on November 20, when he entered the Bible Chapel in Queenstown claiming to one of the patrons he was a builder and did not have his wallet to afford petrol to get home.
He was given petrol vouchers to the value of $100 and promised he would give a full reimbursement but never did.
Taylor had 21 previous charges relating to burglary since 1988 and more than 213 convictions in total.
"You have spent a considerable period of your life in prison," Judge Turner said.
"You have been institutionalised. In other words, you find it easier to live in prison than you do in the community."
