The thief

I quote this article from the Nelson Mail in Nelson, New Zealand.
The Nelson Mail is a mass media publication produced 3 times a week.
Like the Shady Lane retirement home newsletter with less violence.

“A man involved in an assault on a motorcycle instructor after a road rage incident has been urged by a judge to address his issues with alcohol. Herbert Hampton , 25, was sentenced in the Nelson District Court on Wednesday on charges of assault, driving while disqualified and driving with excess breath alcohol.

Judge Garry Barkle said last October 23, Hampton was driving on State Highway 6 when he passed a motorcyclist on the left-hand side, effectively undertaking him, near the intersection with Haven Rd.

Judge Barkle said the assault was concerning given two people were involved and the victim was hit in the head several times. He was unsure why Hampton had chosen to drive as he did, or why the situation deteriorated.  The victim, a man in his sixties had been teaching a motorcycle lesson when the incident occurred and his injuries had caused his family some distress, while he had lost sleep over the event.

A pre-sentence report said Hampton didn’t have a lot of remorse for the offending, which was related to alcohol and poor decision-making, which Judge Barkle said was “somewhat concerning”.

Hampton was sentenced to six months’ community detention, 10 months’ intensive supervision, disqualified from driving for 12 months and a day and ordered to complete 120 hours’ community work and pay $500 emotional harm reparation.

His fines balance of $3,977.56 would be cancelled on completion of the community work.”

$3,977.56.  
I wish my accountant was that accurate doing my taxes.
He usually just rounds up.


I do like this approach to justice where the judge considers everything.
He decides what he thinks is fair - not just harsh and punishing.
The judge treats you like a human with failings that we all have.
That is why New Zealand can be a lovely country to live in.


Just yesterday I wanted to beat an elderly man in a wheel chair.
I would have but his wife had big arms.
And the man had done nothing to me.
You have to carefully consider your actions.


The court judgement does seem a little light to me if I am the 60-something man getting his head beat in.
He could have been 69. I am 70.
I always support a brother.


Maybe it would be fairer if the 60-something year old got 6 swings to Herbert’s head on the court floor.
Supervised justice.
I could help them count it out. “1 2 3 4 rest your arms 5 6” My turn.


I’m sure a lot of people would pay $500 to punch a stranger senseless at a gas station.
I can rent lane 6 at the BP on Haven Road, which is diesel, and no one uses.
They also sell sausage rolls, chips and beverages for the viewers convenience.
I can sell this.


To my wife, for example.
I plead guilty.    I’m always guilty.   I don’t always get caught.
“Honey, where did you $1,500?” 


I got to thinking of what I would say to a thief who broke into my car.
I have valuable camera gear in the boot for shoots in the field.
“Field’ means “in my car”.
“Shoot” means “taking pictures out of the car window”.


I envision myself returning to the car as the thief is finishing writing the below note.


“Bra, I broke into your car to steal the camera.
I realized it was a Pentax k5.   That’s worthless.
I left $20 to cover the broken car locks.    Sorry mate”


You broke into my car?


“Yeah - please wait until I am finished writing the note.
I’m a meth head.
I write fast once I get the pencil figured out.


It’s upside-down.


“Bra - Why do you use a Pentax Bra.    That’s a shit camera.
I thought it was a Canon 5D because it was big and ugly.
That’s worth something.
Your first camera Bra?”


No.  I have had several.


”All Pentax?”


Yes.  Mostly.


“What are you thinking?   
Are you a shit photographer
Is $20 enough to cover the lock?”


That’s fine.  They don’t work well. You got in.


“Bra, I look for cameras that I can steal and sell fast.
You can’t sell a Pentax.  No one wants them.    
They are for shit photographers.
You shit Bra?”


Do you need another pencil?


“My eyes are getting bad from the meth.
Do you have any 2.5 non-prescription glasses that I can have?
Can I have that candy bar?”


I use 1.5 for driving and 4.0 for reading.
The candy bar is my lunch.
It’s open and half-eaten.


“Your lenses are shit too. Pentax glass.
Get some better glass.   Sigma is good.
Those are shit.”


You know lenses?


”Yeah Bra.
I used to be in a camera club.
It drove me to do drugs.”


I understand.
Get 3.0 non-prescription glasses
Your eyes deteriorate faster than you think at your age. And the meth.


“Thanks Bra.
Here's the note and $20.
Are you going to call the police?”


Should I?


“Nah Bra, they’d let me go because I didn’t actually steal the cameras.
It’d be a waste of time.   
You’ll get a fine because your car warrant of fitness is more than 4 months old.”


I didn’t notice that.  
Are you going to turn me in for my car?


”Not if you give me the candy bar and $20.
You need to get a better car.
The jack in the trunk doesn’t have a handle.”


The jack in the trunk?


“Tires Bra. They are worth more than your shit Pentax k5.
Your tires are shit too. 1mm of tread. Dangerous to others.
You’ll never pass the warrant of fitness. Can steal them either.”


I’ll have them replaced.

“Cheers mate!”


I don’t lock my car doors anymore.


I put my Pentax K5 on the dashboard.
To scare away thieves.
I put all my lenses on the dashboard - 18-250, 12-24, 16-45, 23mm pancake.


I understand the justice system better now.
I believe I made a solid investment in vehicle security with my Pentax k5.