Waikato man sentenced for fraud and identity theft

A Hamilton man has been sentenced to six months home detention and 150 hours community work in relation to dozens of theft and fraud offences.

Mathew Raymond Phillips had earlier pleaded guilty to a total of 49 charges.

The 44-year-old was sentenced in the Hamilton District Court today, Friday 30 September 2016.

"Phillips defrauded his then-retail employer and stole money by, among other methods, transferring business refunds to his own bank card," says Senior Constable Myles O'Donnell of Waikato Tactical Crime Unit.

"As well as our own investigations, Police were provided with some excellent evidence. This allowed investigators to build up a file to prosecute our person of interest.

"Phillips also obtained the identity of another person.

"Waikato Police is pleased that the perpetrator was put before the courts and that he has been held to account for his actions.

"My thoughts are, and continue to be, with the victims of his crimes.

They are the ones who have suffered.

Phillips has caused them a great deal of stress.

"Phillips is a cunning individual.

But in the end, as today's sentencing shows, he wasn't so smart.

"The sentencing serves as a reminder to criminals that the law will eventually catch up with them," says Mr O'Donnell.

ENDS

© Scoop Media