Reuben Puni: Underwear thief found with suitcase of used women’s panties

A woman watched in horror as CCTV footage showed a stranger enter her home and rifle through her dirty clothes hamper before stealing her underwear, a court has heard.

An underwear thief who was caught on CCTV camera stealing a woman’s clothes from her home was later found with a suitcase full of “soiled” panties, a court has heard.

Reuben Avaganofoa Puni, 39, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday (August 23) and pleaded guilty to one count of entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, and one count of possessing tainted property.

The court heard the two offences were committed in May last year and were uncovered by the woman whom the father-of-four stole from.

She was at work when, about 3.30pm, an app on her phone connected to CCTV cameras at her house alerted her to a man entering her property.

Puni could be seen in the footage travelling up and down her stairs a number of times before rifling through her dirty clothes hamper and removing a pair of underwear.

The court heard he then appeared to smell the underwear before placing them in the pocket of his shorts and leaving the property.

Three days later, on May 8, police executed a search warrant at Puni’s address and found a broken CCTV camera, which belonged to the victim, sitting in a bucket of water.

Police also discovered a silver briefcase containing 43 clipseal bags – each stuffed with one to four pairs of “soiled” women’s underwear – in Puni’s bedroom, as well as the clothes he was wearing at the time.

Reuben Avaganofoa Puni, 39.

The court heard Puni chose not to participate in a police interview, but told authorities he bought the used underwear over the internet.

Prosecutor Sergeant Nicholas Turnbull said the father-of-four had a dated but relevant criminal history, reflecting the “peculiar” nature of the new charges.

Defence solicitor Ashleigh Fanning said Puni had experienced “deep remorse, embarrassment” and “regret” over his actions.

He was supported by his church, family and community and was committed to seeing himself “completely whole and healed”.

The court heard he was working as a school bus driver at the time of the offending, but the charges served as a “wake-up call” for him and he decided to resign in their wake.

Ms Fanning said his former employer knew of the charges and still thought highly of him. They had indicated they were happy to re-engage him if allowed and appropriate.

Magistrate Robert Walker took into account Puni’s pleas of guilty, the “unusual” circumstances surrounding the “serious” offences, and the distress his actions must have caused his victim when deciding an appropriate penalty.

He said the woman must have experienced a “sickening” feeling upon watching a stranger move through her house and steal her underwear.

Puni was sentenced to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 18 months, and 12 months’ probation.

Convictions were recorded.