Pilfering deaf war hero is NZ's oldest prisoner

WELLINGTON, June 22 (Reuters) A wheezing, deaf 85-year-old war hero described as an incorrigible thief has been sent to jail for a month for shoplifting, making him the oldest person in New Zealand jails, officials said today.

Reginald Hugh Donovan has about 50 previous petty theft convictions since 2000, mainly for stealing grocery items, and has been banned from many stores in Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand's South Island.

Donovan had pleaded guilty to three trespassing and 11 theft charges but his lawyer told Christchurch District Court yesterday that a prison term would be inappropriate for a man of his age, local media reported.

Lawyer Denise Johnston said Donovan suffered from deafness, dizzy spells, chronic breathing difficulties and the after-effects of a disabling accident.

But judge Colin Doherty rejected her argument, saying Donovan had already received every conceivable form of help from the courts.

Donovan also served a brief jail term in 2004.

''Yet six days ago you were at it again,'' The Press newspaper quoted Doherty as saying.

''You are a recidivist and incorrigible thief. The extent of your offending is not great in monetary terms, but you persist,'' he said.

A Corrections Department spokeswoman said the oldest person in their custody was 85 but would not confirm the person's identity for privacy reasons.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Donovan was a decorated war hero who was wounded five times during World War Two.

REUTERS SI RAI0953