Man admits 76 fraud charges

Press, 19 February 1986, Page 9

Man admits 76 fraud charges

PA Whangarei A man who sold to businesses throughout New Zealand more than $12,000 of advertising that did not eventuate, and pocketed the money, admitted 76 charges in the District Court at Whangarei yesterday. John Frederick Toogood, aged 44, a salesman, of no. fixed abode,

appeared before Judge Paul on 73 counts of theft by fraud and three relating to not paying hotel bills. He was remanded for a probation report and sentence to a later date. The police said that under the alias, Morris Reed, the defendant had worked during the last two years for two com-

panies as a salesman. The first was an Auckland model and entertainment agency for which the defendant sold registers in the South Island. When it was found he was not returning any takings to the company, he was sacked. Late last year Toogood worked for Racing Pro- - motions, Ltd, of Christchurch, selling advertising to retailers and converting cheques he received to his own use.

The police traced the defendant to Kawakawa, where he had been attempting to sell more advertising for Racing Promotions after he had been sacked for not sending in any money. Counsel, Miss Sally Taylor, asked for a psychiatric examination for her client. The request was declined. The Judge suggested that the defendant could make his own arrangements for an examination before sentence.