Pair burgled bakery after birthday party

Cherie Taylor | 11th March 2010

A Rotorua rugby league academy student and a Rotorua aircraft baggage handler have pleaded guilty to the burglary of the Owhata Bakery.

Dylan Tuhaio Brell, 18, and Duane James Gordon, 18, admitted the charge when they appeared before Judge Chris McGuire in the Rotorua District Court on Monday .

The pair were celebrating Gordon's 18th birthday at a Te Ngae Rd address on January 11 and about 1.30 the next morning headed to a 24-hour service station to buy some food, according to the police summary.

As they walked past the Owhata Bakery at the Te Ngae Shopping Centre, they smashed the front window of the shop and after clearing away the shattered glass, went inside and rummaged around, knocking over a coffee machine and damaging the cash register.

They stole soft drinks, pies, pastries and chewing gum.

Judge McGuire remanded the pair for a restorative justice meeting to be held between them and the shop owners.

He also ordered a pre-sentence report be completed for sentencing on April 19.

Another man, Nathaniel Tahitahi, 17, has pleaded not guilty to being involved in the burglary and is still to be dealt with by the court.