Media release

1 February 2013

Fraud pair sentenced

Two British citizens have been jailed for fraudulently obtaining UK passports and subsequent applications for entry to New Zealand.

At Waitakere District Court Martin Richards pleaded guilty to six charges under the Crimes Act and two charges under the Immigration Act and Andrew Cains pleaded guilty to three charges under the Crimes Act and one charge under the Immigration Act. Today Judge Taumanu jailed Richards for 2 years, 3 months and Cains for 1 year, 10 months.

The Judge commented that the offending was clearly sustained over a long period of time and showed considerable pre-meditation with a conscious effort by the defendants to enter New Zealand on false identities and travel documents.

Judge Taumanu stated that further aggravating features were that they had stolen the identity of New Zealand citizens. He added that there were no mitigating features.

INZ General Manager Steve Stuart says the sentence shows that such offending will not be tolerated.

“The judge stated that one of the main factors in his decision was for it to act as a deterrent and that such offending will result in a stern sentence of imprisonment,” Mr Stuart says. “Immigration New Zealand is very pleased with the outcome of this case and we won’t hesitate to prosecute anyone who commits such offences in the future.”

ENDS

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