Fraud sentence

Press, 6 August 1981, Page 4

Fraud sentence

PA Hamilton More than $200,000 was fraudulently obtained by a company director in a fruitless attempt to keep the firm viable, the High Court in Hamilton heard. Graeme Noel Newton, aged 35. appeared before Mr Justice Bisson for sentence after pleading guilty to 15 charges of using a document for pecuniary advantage and seven charges of theft.

He was sentenced to 12 months periodic detention to be followed by 12 months probation, with the special condition that he pay a $lOOO fine. •

To obtain $207,714. Newton used false hire purchase agreements and stated that vehicles he was selling on

behalf of others belonged to him.

Counsel for Newton. Mr John Hardie, said that all the money obtained was put back into the firm of Waikato Truck and Tractor Sales, Ltd. in an effort to keep the company working.

“When these matters came to a head it was disclosed that the firm had no assets whatsoever and should have been wound up long ago,” Mr Hardie said. “When the business ceased there was $1 million on hire purchase outstanding.” Newton had completed the false agreements or stated ' that the vehicles were his to < get money from a finance j company to pay back earlier . loans due for payment, the ■ Court heard.