The thief responsible for stealing almost 100 exam papers from the University of Otago clocktower building last November has been denied a discharge without conviction.
The 23-year-old woman’s lawyer, Stuart Grieve QC, successfully argued for permanent name suppression due to her mental health issues.
The case was transferred to the Auckland District Court from Dunedin where the woman pleaded guilty in December to one charge of burglary, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years. She was sentenced before the District Court to 12 months home detention and $6400 in reparations to be paid to the University.
While Judge David Sharp acknowledged Grieve’s argument that a conviction would impose difficulties on the woman’s ability to travel and return to study, it would not outweigh the seriousness of the offending.
The woman stole the papers after sitting an exam at the University on November 7 last year. During the exam she aroused suspicions visiting the toilet three times. The examiners later found exam notes stashed in the bathrooms.
The fact summary outlines that armed with a hoodie, balaclava, rubber gloves and an axe, the woman gained access to the clock tower during business hours, where she hid herself in a cleaning cupboard until the building was vacated and locked by staff. She then used the axe to gain entry into the office by smashing through the walls. Upon finding her own exam script, she also took 97 other papers from the Dentistry, English, Political Studies and Health departments.
Police cite the “calculated and premeditated” nature of the offending that imposed “stress and anxiety” on fellow students and argue that it was an attempt by the women to cover up her alleged cheating. Judge Sharp acknowledged that her actions were “suspicious” though did not go so far as to rule that cheating had occurred.
Grieve emphasised that the woman’s mental disorder was the main factor behind the offence and that she had undertaken counseling.