By Joseph Nathan, Staff Reporter.
Timaru District Court News
In a courtroom that echoed with frustration, Judge Dominic Dravitzki confronted a repeat offender whose persistent shoplifting and trespassing have become a growing headache for the justice system
“The real issue is your history of similar offenses…you are a real problem
Benjamin Gladstone Scott-Stewart, 32, faced the court today, grappling with four new shoplifting charges and one for trespassing.
With a staggering 24 previous convictions for shoplifting and seven for trespassing, Scott-Stewart’s extensive record led Judge Dravitzki to voice his mounting exasperation. “This is nuisance offending,” he stated firmly.
“The real issue is your history of similar offenses…you are a real problem.”
The judge’s irritation was further amplified by Scott-Stewart’s blatant disregard for court orders. He had been warned to return for sentencing on a trespass charge from June 4, only to reappear just weeks later with more offenses.
“You were given the indulgence of the court,” Judge Dravitzki remarked, shaking his head. “Yet here you are again.”
Between December and June, Scott-Stewart committed a series of thefts, snatching items worth $81.48 from New World Timaru, $40.02 from BP Connect, $9 from Z Caroline Bay, and $24.90 from Night ‘n Day Washdyke. He even breached a trespass order at Woolworths supermarket.
Judge Dravitzki noted the grim statistics: “Since 2020, there have been 15 convictions for shoplifting or trespassing.”
With each offense, Scott-Stewart’s pattern of behavior has raised alarms within the justice system. Corrections has lost patience, recommending imprisonment, which Judge Dravitzki described as “very unusual” for such offenses. “I think it is an indication of their complete frustration,” he added.
Initially, the judge proposed a five-month jail term, but after considering guilty pleas, he adjusted the sentence to four months and two weeks.
However, in a bid to address Scott-Stewart’s ongoing issues, Judge Dravitzki decided to impose home detention instead, setting a term of two months and two weeks.
“This is your final opportunity,” he warned sternly. “If you continue to offend, you will be going to jail.”
Along with home detention, Scott-Stewart was ordered to pay $155 in reparation.
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