The courts Man fined $600 for conspiring to defraud

Press, 21 July 1989, Page 13

The courts Man fined $600 for conspiring to defraud

A man convicted of conspiring to defraud an insurance company of $BOOO, with which he subsequently bought a new car, was fined $6OO when he appeared for sentence before Judge Frampton. Although the offence was serious and involved planning, the Judge said he took into account that Ming Wah Cheung had no previous convictions, that reparation had been made, and that it was likely the defendant would never appear before a court again. Cheung, aged 35, a chef (Mr B. S. McLaughlin), was appearing for sentence in the District Court yesterday.

He had earlier admitted defrauding the insurance company by falsely representing that his vehicle had been stolen.

According to the police

Cheung had paid another person $2OO to take his old car, drive it out into the country, and push it over a bank. Because the vehicle sustained only moderate damage the associate climbed down the bank, smashed the windows and lights, kicked the door panels, and damaged the interior fittings. Mr McLaughlin said his client came to New Zealand from Hong Kong 4>/ 2 years ago. He was now a senior chef with the same employer. The offending was uncharacteristic of the Chinese race who, in New Zealand, rarely appeared in court on criminal matters, he said. Cheung was now deeply ashamed of the disgrace he had brought on the local Chinese community, said Mr McLaughlin.

He sought the imposition of a fine on his client whom, he said, was unlikely to appear in court again. ROBBERY CHARGE

After asking the complainant for a ride, Perry Sanders told him that if he did not give him money he would “slit him,” said Sergeant Pat Creasey. The complainant, fearing for his safety, handed over $lO. Sanders, aged 22, unemployed (Mrs Angela Grant), admitted the offence which took place at 10.15 p.m. on July 3.

He was convicted and remanded in custody to July 27 for sentence. Sanders, when later spoken to by the police, initially denied knowledge of the offence saying he was asleep in bed at home.

INDECENCY OFFENCES A man, aged 22, admitted sexually abusing the son . and daughter of his de facto partner over a two-year period. The accused, who was granted continued interim suppression of name for the sake of the children, was convicted.

Judge Frampton committed him, on bail, to the High Court for sentence on August 3. Sergeant Creasey said the boy was aged 12 and his sister, 10. Some of the offences took place in the defendant’s bedroom, and others while the mother was away.

After the relationship between the accused and the mother broke up the offending continued with the children when the defendant was baby-sitting, said Sergeant Creasey.