Local in court on fraud charges

A Masterton man has been charged with eight counts of fraud, allegedly costing businesses from Auckland to Carterton more than $8500.

Alex Dittmer, 41, entered no plea to the charges when he appeared in Masterton District Court yesterday. He was remanded until December 6.

The charges date back to 2008 and include one count of fraudulently using a birth certificate to obtain a benefit.

Other charges relate to fraudulently obtaining credit from businesses, mainly in 2008 and 2009.

They include: $3131 from Joinery Hardware in Auckland; $849 from Mico Plumbing in Auckland; and $130 from Dynex Extrusions in Auckland.

In Carterton, Dittmer is charged with falsely obtaining $1400 credit from Sopers; $1937 from Telecom New Zealand; $134 from MSL manufacturing suppliers; and $973 from Carters.

The charge relating to Carters dates from between 2008 and September this year.