Southland teen placed on curfew after committing vehicle crimes

Thursday, 18 June 2026

A Southland teenager who brazenly damaged and took other people’s vehicles may have taken pleasure from his actions, but they will have lasting consequences, a judge has said.

Tyla Letham, 18, was last week sentenced in the Invercargill District Court to six months community detention, with a 7pm till 7am curfew at home each night.

He would be tagged with a bracelet and effectively “locked down” during his high risk times late at night and in the early morning hours, judge Mark Williams said.

“You will be at home with your mum so you can’t be out and about doing this sort of thing.”

Charges he admitted to included three of unlawfully taking motor vehicles, two of unlawfully getting into vehicles and one of attempted burglary which involved breaking into a vehicle down a driveway, the judge said.

“You embarked on a spree of offending involved in the taking or getting into or using other people’s cars. People often spend a considerable amount time saving up for their vehicles and take pride in them … you completely disregarded other people’s property in Invercargill and Gore for your own pleasure.”

His crimes included smashing vehicle windows and removing the ignition barrels in those vehicles, the judge said.

On one occasion he recorded himself on his mobile phone breaking into one of the vehicles and driving it to another location.

“Your mum said you hang around the wrong people, and you now live with the consequences of that,” judge Williams said.

He spelled out those consequences to the teen.

“It may well have been somewhat of an amusement for you, but as a result you have landed yourself in a dock in front of everybody, including the media.

“You will walk out of court with seven criminal convictions on your record which you will need to disclose to potential employers.”

Defence lawyer John Fraser said his teenage client had displayed a “lack of mature insight”.

The judge said Letham had avoided a prison sentence due to his young age and the fact it was his first time before the district court, but was warned prison may follow if he remained on the same path.

Letham was also ordered to pay $2000 reparation for damage done during his offending.