An ex-rugby star who became addicted to gambling became a criminal after terrorizing a victim into believing he had been robbed of $20,000 in just one week.
Instead of purchasing the car that was advertised, the suspect met the victim on Facebook Marketplace and demanded that it be given to him for free, threatening to shoot the owner if he did not comply.
The defendant made an appearance this week in Porirua District Court to answer to 38 charges, which included obtaining by deception and requesting with the intention of stealing.
After time-served deductions and a significant reduction from a starting point of five and a half years of imprisonment, he was sentenced to six months of home detention.
Instead of purchasing the car that was advertised, the suspect met the victim on Facebook Marketplace and demanded that it be given to him for free, threatening to shoot the owner if he did not comply.
The defendant made an appearance this week in Porirua District Court to answer to 38 charges, which included obtaining by deception and requesting with the intention of stealing.
After time-served deductions and a significant reduction from a starting point of five and a half years of imprisonment, he was sentenced to six months of home detention.