Egg smuggler convicted

A man who tried to smuggle a dozen fertile chicken eggs into New Zealand has been fined $5000 and sentenced to community work.

In the Lower Hutt District Court yesterday, John Jakeman was convicted for violating the Biosecurity Act after sourcing eggs from an overseas chicken breeder and suggesting that the supplier falsify the packaging description.

In addition to the fine, Jakeman was ordered to complete 200 hours of community work.