The man who desecrated 20 Jewish graves at the Symonds St cemetery in Auckland has returned to court with his plane ticket to leave the country.
British citizen Christian Landmark, 20, was found guilty in June of defacing the headstones with Nazi swastikas and statements last October.
Judge Russell Collins in June offered Landmark a chance to avoid jail if he promised to return to court with proof he will leave the country.
Landmark was also ordered to pay $3000 in reparations and to complete 80 hours of voluntary community work. However, due to a lack of hours available at the Salvation Army where he was volunteering, Landmark was unable to complete the 80 hours.
At the Auckland District Court this morning the defence presented a letter to Judge Collins, written by Landmark.
Judge Collins said he was satisfied from Landmark’s letter that he now has a “wider understanding” of the seriousness of his offence.
Judge Collins described Landmark as “cocky” during his trial and said he did not believe he was remorseful for his crimes.
Crown prosecutor Mark Sweetman said today the Jewish community had been “incredibly forgiving” of the grave desecration.
Landmark spent three months in custody and was released on bail during his sentencing.
Judge Collins said because Landmark had booked his own flight out of the country, he had saved the New Zealand tax payers the cost of deportation.
Because Landmark is not a New Zealand citizen he could not be sentenced to community service.
3 News
source: newshub archive
