A career conman is using his Work and Income benefit to pay back more than $26,000 in unpaid reparation stemming from charges relating back to 2004.
William David Franklin, a serial fraudster with 69 previous convictions, appeared before the Napier District Court yesterday in relation to reparation owed from offending in 2003 and 2004.
Franklin, 46, had obtained money from women he had been meeting through contacts made on internet dating sites, where he would often tell them exorbitant lies before asking them for money.
The amount would range from $160 to entire life savings and his offending continued for years before being jailed in 2007.
Franklin appeared before Judge Richard Watson yesterday after refusing to provide income details to the Napier Collections unit so they could starting taking reparation money.
He had offered to pay $40 a week, which meant the reparation would have taken over 12 years before being paid off.
Judge Watson asked Corrections if there was "any ability for me to hold him in custody until he produces the evidence you require?"
Franklin was recently released from a minimum 21-month jail sentence after being convicted of 10 charges of obtaining money and goods by deception and three counts of using a document in 2007.
Rowena Ratahi, the registry officer for collections, said they needed statements of Franklin's finances before they could decide the amount to begin taking.
"He's made an offer, but we can't accept it, as it's such a large amount of reparation."
Ms Ratahi said the maximum amount Collections could take was $110 a week from Franklin's WINZ benefit.
Franklin, smiling, told the judge he accepted that amount.
Judge Watson said the court "would take the offer. It's the best offer you've ever given."
Conman must pay his dues
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