Justin Howes is accused of stealing beehives and shipping containers. Photo/John Stone
Justin Howes is accused of stealing beehives and shipping containers. Photo/John Stone
A former bee company employee has been accused of stealing three shipping containers that housed beehives and beekeeping equipment.
Justin Mathew Howes, of Titoki, is appearing in a judge-alone trial in the Whangarei District Court accused of making a false statement, two charges of loss by deception and four chargesof theft of beehives.
Sam Kim, owner of New Zealand Queen Bee in Auckland, gave evidence this week that his company bought 166 hives from Howes in December 2014.
About a month later NZ Queen Bee employed Howes, 25, to manage the beehives in Northland and Auckland and to look for new sites.
Police allege that between June and October last year, Howes stole two 6m containers that had beehives, boxes, bases, frames and other beekeeping equipment.
The items, worth $46,000, belonged to NZ Queen Bee.
In September last year, Howes allegedly stole a 6m shipping container valued at $2645, also belonging to NZ Queen Bee.
Three other charges were laid earlier - breaching the Animal Products Act by falsifying an apiarist and beekeeper statement and two charges of theft of beehives.