Prison sequel to spending spree

Press, 25 February 1981, Page 5

Prison sequel to spending spree

Nelson reporter A man who told the police that he “wanted to enjoy spending while it lasted,” a s he and a female companion went on a holiday spree using her bank credit car'd to charge up accommodation and purchases, was con-| victed and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Judge Headifen in the District Court at Nelson yesterday. Gary Raymond Jones, aged 25, of no fixed abode, an unemployed machinist, admitted six charges of fraudulently using a credit card belonging to Jennifer McNabb, three charges of stealing sheep of a total value of $145, a charge of stealing tyres and one of burglaw. He was convicted and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment on each of the fraud, charges, 18 months imprisonment on each of the sheep-stealing counts and burglary, and three months prison on the charge of stealing tyres' -~r all the

terms to be served concurrently. Sergeant P. D. Grooby said the defendant and the holder of the bank credit card began to live together and later went on a holiday in the North Island using her credit card as a means of payment. Although the card was hers the defendant admitted he knew that they had exceeded the $5OO credit limit in booking up accommodation and on their spending spree, and although the charges related to only $754 for accommodation, the spending they had done with the card amounted to more like $6OOO.

Sergeant Grooby detailed how the defendant and a companion, on three separate occasions went to two farms in Nelson and caught and killed four sheep. They had previously taken orders to supply and deliver these sheep. They had stolen tyres, but found they were the wrong ones and had disposed of them. The pair also broke into a tobacconist’s shop in Bridge Street and stole cigarettes. .