Show fraudster avoids jail

The Hamilton man behind a failed Waikato air show has been sentenced to home detention and community work, avoiding imprisonment by refunding some of the money he owed.

Kenneth James Ross was sentenced in the Hamilton District Court yesterday after being found guilty of five counts of fraud and six charges laid under the Fair Trading Act, in November, in connection with the Wings and Wheels over Waikato air show.

Judge Robert Spear sentenced Ross to nine months' home detention and 200 hours of community work.

Hundreds of people bought tickets for the show, which was originally planned for March 2008 but never went ahead after resource consent and financial woes.