Magazine fraud proved

Press, 3 May 1984, Page 4

Magazine fraud proved

A young couple who established a free, monthly magazine, “Lifestyle” for circulation to Christchurch households early last year were found guilty by a jury in the District Court yesterday of a joint fraud charge in relation to its publication.

Alan David Hammond, aged 28, unemployed and Dian Joan Hammond, aged 25, a housewife, had denied two joint charges which alleged false pretences involving a total of $26,896, for Caxton Press, Ltd. Both were found guilty of a joint charge that, in incurring a debt of $15,000 with Caxton Press on January 14, last year, they obtained credit by falsely representing that they were in a position to make an agreed payment of $14,000 before production of 106,000 copies of the magazine.

Alan Hammond was also found guilty of a joint charge with his wife that, on or about March 25, last year in incurring a debt of $11,896 with Caxton Press, he obtained credit by falsely representing that he had completed contracts with various persons for advertising in the magazine, which were sufficient to provide revenue from which the cost of publication could be met. Dian Hammond was found not guilty of this charge. Judge Pain remanded the couple on bail to May 17 for probation reports and sentence.

The jury returned its verdicts late yesterday afternoon, after a retirement of 1% hours.

Defence evidence was completed yesterday morning and was followed by counsel’s final addresses and the Judge’s summing up, before the jury retired. Mr B. M. Stanaway appeared for the Crown and Miss E. H. B. Thompson for the Hammonds.