Man had “impulse to steal” and was sentenced to probation for stealing pigs

A 35-year-old man was convicted this year of stealing a boar and a sow and received a 12-month suspended sentence.

Andrew Sawtell, also known as Tonorio, appeared before Magistrates John Whitta, Paul Turepu and Nga Mataio at the Avarua Crown Court on Wednesday.

Sauter, whose defense attorney was Norman George, was charged with two counts of theft, each pig valued at $200.

The court heard that the matter was reported to the police on March 20, 2024, with the complainant stating that two pigs were stolen separately between February and March.

Magistrate Whitta said the complainant posted on social media hoping to recover the stolen pigs and was identified as having purchased one of the stolen pigs from Sawtell.

Sotell was interrogated by the police and admitted to stealing the two pigs.

He admitted to selling multiple pigs to the same buyer, according to his probation report.

Defense attorney George said he had represented his client in a number of cases in the past.

He said Sawtell, a father of seven, had not offended in some time and had learned his lesson.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Fairoa Tararo recommended the fine, adding that the defendant’s last dishonesty offence was more than 10 years ago.

JP Whitta said the defendant worked in lawn and tree maintenance and odd jobs and had a difficult upbringing, which led him to a life of crime at an early age.

He said that according to the probation report, Sawtell admitted that he had a nearly uncontrollable urge to steal.

Although police had documented the defendant’s criminal history, JP Whitta acknowledged that it had been a full 10 years or more since Sawtell last committed a fraud offence.

He said the crime “often gets a laugh because it seems funny to think of someone stealing pigs for some reason”.

“However, for the person whose property was stolen, it’s not funny.”

JP Whitta noted that while the theft itself was not serious, the court was concerned that Sawtell admitted to selling other pigs and being forced to steal.

JP Whitta said they considered fines and restitution penalties but believed there was likely a financial aspect to his offending as he had seven children and the associated expenses.

He explained to the defendant that if he was cited within the next 12 months, he would be required to pay $400 in restitution for the stolen pigs, as well as $50 in court costs for each of the two charges.