Moth breeder sentenced

An Auckland man’s passion for moths and butterflies resulted in a fine of $5000 dollars, 150 hours community work and court costs of $200 dollars in the Auckland District Court today.

Mr Hollingsworth was charged last month under section 154 (g) (ii) of the Biosecurity Act 1993 for buying unauthorised goods, with reckless disregard as to this status, when a package containing exotic moth eggs was intercepted at the Auckland International Mail Centre.

Jockey Jensen, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Special Investigation Group, said the sentence took into account a number of different circumstances relating to the case.

“This is a very serious charge under the Biosecurity Act that could have resulted in a term of imprisonment. Mr Hollingsworth’s obsession with collecting moths and butterflies may well have clouded his judgement. He has expressed extreme remorse and is certainly now well aware of the potential impact of his actions,” he said.

Under section 154 (g)(ii) of the Biosecurity Act 1993 it is an offence to buy, sell, exchange, acquire or dispose of unauthorised goods, knowing that they may be unauthorised and reckless as to whether they are or not.

Under the Biosecurity Act 1993, Mr Hollingsworth could have been sentenced to a term of five years imprisonment or fined up to $100,000 dollars.

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