A young man who stole a breath-testing device, which was dropped by a police constable as the officer was allegedly being assaulted, was sentenced to 75 hours' community work when he appeared in the Oamaru District Court yesterday.
Dylan Rhodes (18), freezing worker, admitted a charge of theft of the breath-testing device on February 21.
Prosecutor Tim Hambleton said Rhodes was a passenger in a car, with a group of associates, which was travelling north on Thames Highway.
The vehicle had a flat front tyre and a police officer signalled the driver to stop.
After the driver was processed for drink-driving, he refused to accompany the officer and a struggled ensued.
Another associate became involved and the officer dropped the breath-testing device during the struggle.
Rhodes picked it up, ran from the scene and hid it at his home.
He later went to the police station, aware he was being sought, and told police he was unsure why he had taken it.
Counsel Ngaire Alexander said Rhodes had "absolutely no explanation" as to why he picked it up and he realised it was "very, very foolish".
He did not get involved in the physical altercation between the officer and others at the scene.
He voluntarily went to the police station and made a full statement.
The device was located undamaged.
He regretted his behaviour and intended making it his last court appearance.
He would moderate the amount of alcohol he consumed in future and would also be more "discerning" about who he associated with.
It was his first conviction for dishonesty, Miss Alexander said.
Judge Stephen O'Driscoll was concerned it was the defendant's third appearance in court in a relatively short time.
He also appeared in August last year and January this year.
A 20-year-old South Canterbury man, charged with aggravated injuring, drink-driving (600mcg), dangerous driving, refusing to accompany police and three counts of resisting police, and an 18-year-old Oamaru man, charged with aggravated injuring, have been further remanded without plea to reappear on March 17.
An order for interim name suppression for both continues.
