Man ‘told fibs’ about camera

Press, 21 December 1978, Page 5

Man ‘told fibs’ about camera

A man admitted to a Customs Department officer that he had “told fibs” about a camera, the Magistrate’s Court heard yesterday. Robin Duff, aged 31, a post-primary teacher, and a Values Party candidate for Christchurch Central at the General Election, was convicted on a charge of intent to defraud the Customs Department in that he failed to declare a camera as an item acquired from a duty-free source in New Zealand, and on a charge of making a false declaration. The defendant was fined $2OO by Mr F. G. Paterson, S.M., and his camera was forfeited. Mr D. J. L. Saunders represented the department. Mr P. N. Dyhrberg appeared for Duff. The defendant arrived at

Christchurch on September 5 after a 17-day visit to Australia. He was warned that all goods bought duty-free before departure or acquired overseas must be declared, said Steven Collier, a Customs officer.

At the baggage channel the defendant was again spoken to about his Customs obligations, according to another witness, Patrick John Barber.

However, during a baggage search, witness said, he found a sealed pamphlet relating to a camera. The defendant. told him the camera had been bought retail two months earlier from a Christchurch photographic shop.

When told the camera ■ would be detained for proof, . the defendant had said he I had been “telling fibs” and that the camera had been : bought duty-free for $220 on

his departure, Mr Barber said.

The defendant, whose manner was friendly and calm, had said he was confused by Customs procedures, witness said.

The camera, worth $554, would have attracted duty and sales tax of $l3 had it been declared. Gary Wood, a Customs senior officer, said that when he spoke to the defendant the latter said he considered the camera part of his personal effects and did not think it had to be declared. The defendant also said that he had been away from New Zealand before and had been “done over” several times.

In evidence, the defendant said he had told the Customs officer that he had bought the camera a week or so before his departure. At the time of

re-entry he was upset and felt under pressure.

He knew his chances of being searched thoroughly by Customs men were good, perhaps because of his association with disadvantaged or minority groups, he said.

He had “fibbed” about the camera. He had also panicked about the information required and had made a stupid statement. The defendant said that he could not. have pleaded guilty to a smuggling charge because that implied intent and that certainly was not the case.

A South Canterbury farmer, Thomas lan Groundwater, aged 22, was convicted on the same two charges. The Magistrate fined him a total of $l5O, and his camera was also forfeited.