The "unofficial chairman" of Omarama-based Waitaki Search and Rescue last year stole equipment from the organisation, then made a false insurance claim for the property.
In the Oamaru District Court yesterday, Stephen Ross Turner (54), engineer, of Omarama, admitted stealing a backpack, edge kit, personal emergency locator beacon, GPS, foot grips, a multitool, bivvy bag, ration pack and headlamp worth $2500 from Waitaki Search and Rescue between August 7 and 8, 2010.
He also admitted falsely claiming from Tower Insurance on August 9, 2010, that property worth $2500 had been stolen.
On both charges, he was convicted by Judge Michael Crosbie, sentenced to 240 hours' community work and to pay reparation of $806.
Judge Crosbie acknowledged Turner had made a contribution to the community through search and rescue (SAR), "quite a bit" in extreme and dangerous conditions.
In some respects, the theft was well thought out, but in others clumsy and easily detected by police.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Ross Hutton said Turner was the "unofficial chairman" of Waitaki SAR.
On the night of August 7, 2010, Turner returned to his yard at Omarama, ostensibly to check security footage. Some time during this period his boat and outboard motor were set alight and destroyed.
The fire was discovered about 12.30am on August 8, the fire brigade called and Turner attended.
About 8.30am, Turner returned to his yard and notified police his Nissan Patrol had been broken into over the same time as the boat fire, and property belonging to himself and SAR stolen. On August 9, 2010, he lodged a claim for the loss of personal property and the boat, but not the SAR equipment.
On May 20 this year police searched the yard, finding the backpack and SAR equipment.
Counsel Ngaire Alexander said the offending was out of character and at a time when Turner was influenced by personal factors, including animosity towards him from others in the community and "poison pen letters".
