Accountant jailed

Press, 14 December 1983, Page 12

Accountant jailed

PA Auckland A chartered accountant was jailed yesterday for 4Vz years, and his secretary was jailed for nine months for fraud offences involving about $500,000.

Before Judge Callander in the Auckland District Court for sentence were Kenneth Douglas Mexted, aged 39, and Lorraine Ivy Heskett, aged 38, both of Remuera. Mexted was earlier found guilty by a jury on 28 charges of theft by misappropriation, seven of false pretences, four of false accounting, one of making a false statement, and one of circulating a false statement. Heskett had been found guilty on 17 joint charges of theft by misappropriation. Both had pleaded not guilty.

Addressing the Court on his own behalf Mexted acknowledged that he was the author of his own downfall,

but he still regarded himself as being innocent. Referring to his probation report he noted that nobody interviewed by the probation officer felt there was criminal intent involved. Mexted said he did not take money from the public, and never advertised for money. He said he felt in the last two or three years he had been “hounded.” Counsel for Heskett, Mr Simon Lockhart, Q.C., said it was never part of the Crown’s case his client was the principal offender. Her role was as a party or accomplice assisting Mexted, and acting under orders or instructions.