Auckland, Oct 22 NZPA - The director of the Waiouru Army Museum is delighted one of the men convicted of stealing nearly 100 gallantry medals in late 2007 has been jailed for 11 years.

The man, who has name suppression, appeared in Auckland District Court today for sentencing, after pleading guilty to the burglary last month.

He was sentenced to six years for the theft of 96 medals, including nine Victoria Crosses, from the museum in December 2007.

He was jailed for a further five years for unrelated fraud and burglaries, making a total of 11 years' imprisonment.

He was ordered to serve a non-parole period of seven years.

Museum director Colonel Raymond Seymour said the sentencing was fair.

"The judge had a job to do and I thought he did a very good job.

"Based on all the comments the judge made, I think it was an appropriate sentence for this cruel and calculating criminal," Mr Seymour said.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Graham Hubble said the court took a dim view of dabbling in national treasures and holding them to ransom.

He said he gave the man a substantial discount for entering an early guilty plea, returning the medals and the ransom, and the fact that he had stood up in court today and apologised.

The defendant told the court he did not mean to target anyone individually.

"I apologise to all servicemen past and present who served for this country.

"I did it for my own personal gain and I sincerely apologise for everything I've done," he said.

Several victim impact statements were presented to the court, and Col Seymour spoke about the effects on him personally, as museum director.

"In my mind this is a crime that shocked the nation, who were so angry that anyone could have the audacity to commit this heinous crime.

"This crime has torn the heart out of every New Zealander," he said.

"The effect of this crime on me and my staff was traumatic. Sleep failed me."

He said he spent a week of his Christmas break scouring the sides of State Highway 1 in the hope that the medals had been discarded.

He said he had tears in his eyes when the medals were eventually returned to the museum the following October.

Amanda Upham, daughter of Captain Charles Upham, also spoke about the impact of the incident.

The medals stolen included her father's Victoria Cross Award and Bar, the only such medal ever awarded to a combat soldier, and the only such medal awarded in World War 2.

Judge Hubble said the five-year prison sentence for 50 other fraud and burglary charges should be served cumulatively with the six year term for the medal theft.

This offending involved identity theft on a large scale with the use of computers to access personal details and the use of forged passports.

The man was currently serving a term of two years, three months' imprisonment, due to expire in December.

This jailing followed his pleading guilty to the theft of a Goldie painting, some poems of Colin McCahon from Auckland University, the man was planning to ransom the painting.

He agreed to return the painting if six charges in relation to the university were dropped.

Judge Hubble said this was not looked on kindly by the court at the time.

"Here you are again stealing icons, which required extensive planning and premeditation by a person who is obviously intelligent.

"The sheer volume of your offending is mind-boggling ... Millions of dollars have been involved, and you have caused extensive damage to financial and business institutions.

"This offending, in my experience, is unprecedented, and it shows sophistication and dedication to dishonesty," Judge Hubble said.

Another man charged over the war medals theft is due in court next week.

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