Remand granted on theft, fraud charges

Press, 25 July 1984, Page 4

Remand granted on theft, fraud charges

Charges of theft and fraud involving $43,000, will be denied by a Christchurch contractor, said counsel (Mr G. S. Brockett), in the District Court yesterday. The defendant, aged 41, earlier described as a private investigator and now as a contractor, was remanded to August 7. His bail of $2OOO was renewed. Interim suppression of his name was continued by Judge Hattaway. The defendant faces two charges of fraud, five of theft, and one of carrying on the business of a private investigator when not licensed. He is accused of stealing

money by failing to pay cheques he had received from individuals to a finance company, a credit union, and a car firm. The police say the offences occurred between September, 1982, and March 23, this year. Mr Brockett said although pleas of not guilty would be entered, he was waiting for a court hearing to be arranged over the issue of a search warrant and the retention of his client’s records. The charges are said by the police to have arisen out of the defendant’s activities on behalf of a debt-collect-ing agency.