Two in fraud case jailed

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 18

Two in fraud case jailed

PA Gisborne Two persons have been jailed after being convicted in the District Court at Gisborne on Social Welfare fraud charges involving more than $20,000. The method of the fraud was suppressed in the public interest, Rice said. Ross Thomas Payne, aged 33, an unemployed chef, of Otara, was jailed for a total of two years and Lorraine Lesley Preston, aged 21, a housewife, of Otara, was jailed for eight months. Almost all charges related to a fraud against the Social Welfare Department at many of its branches throughout New Zealand. Payne was sentenced on 11 charges of obtaining money by false pretences, 16 of

attempted false pretence, and two of making false representations in relation to passports. Preston was sentenced on eight charges of obtaining by false pretence, 16 of attempted false pretence, and one of making a false representation in relation to a passport. Twenty-four of the charges were laid jointly. Sentencing Payne. Judge Rice said that the defendant had conducted his frauds over nine months. The Social Welfare Department sought compensation of $20,126 - $15,521 from Payne and $4605 from Preston — but Judge Rice said that he would make no order, leaving the question up to the department.