A Rarotonga man was sentenced to 15 months prison for stealing a grass cutter worth $1000, along with other items worth $741 and contempt of court.

Michael Tutapu was sentenced by three Justices of the Peace in the Criminal Court at Avarua on Wednesday.

Tutapu already spent two months in prison and that was deducted from his final sentence, bringing his prison sentence to 13 months.

The court heard on the defendant’s second theft charge he stole food, a guitar, a ukulele and a mobile phone from his neighbours, worth $741.

JP John Whitta said his actions negatively affected the family.

Tutapu said he wished he could make things right.

“I’m not happy with what I’ve done, I wish I didn’t make these bad mistakes,” he said.

“No excuses, I know it was wrong.”

Tutapu said he was “wasted” at the time that he stole the goods from the family, however, he returned what he stole except for some of the food that he and his friend ate.

Police said they had no knowledge of the goods being returned.  

The defendant was also sentenced to contempt of court for breaching his curfew hours in October.

The court heard Tutapu has already served in prison for dishonesty.

Police said: “The defendant is no stranger to the judicial system.”

Tutapu also has an outstanding charge of theft of a mobile that he has pleaded not guilty to.

JP Whitta asked if Tutapu had got a lawyer regarding the charge.

Tutapu said he had not had a chance to get one while in prison, adding he just wanted to plead guilty to get it over with.

JP Whitta said: “Just to plead guilty to get it over and done with is something we can’t let you do… it goes against your constitutional rights.

“Your lawyer is pretty important to you.

“We’re here to protect your constitutional rights, for us to do that (plead guilty) is just us being convenient.”

JP Whitta asked one of the prison staff why he was not able to get a lawyer, who said nobody wanted to represent the defendant.

Tutapu will appear out of custody on December 23 for his outstanding charge.