Waikato fraudster pleads guilty to nine charges

A Matamata man who stole more than $350,000 from software investors has pleaded guilty to nine charges of deception and theft at Hamilton District Court this morning. Photo/File

A Matamata man who stole more than $350,000 from software investors has pleaded guilty to nine charges of deception and theft at Hamilton District Court this morning.

Brian Jeffrey Duffell, 56, pleaded guilty to the charges before his trial, which was due to start on Wednesday.

The charges were for offending dating from February 2012 to August 2013 when he ran his business, Silicon Rainbow, which marketed software and the licences to operate.

As part of the offending, Duffell took money from investors in the false promise they would secure a licence and rights to a software package Quick Office Pro and Tradesoftware.

Duffell, through his lawyer Thomas Sutcliffe, pleaded guilty to six charges of obtaining by deception and three charges of theft by a person in a special relationship.

The charges related to seven victims, who lost amounts ranging from $137,500 to $10,000. The total amount equalled $351,300.

Crown prosecutor Jacinda Foster told the court that due to things moving rapidly this morning, she would provide a summary of facts to the judge on 5 May.

She also told the judge she would withdraw the remaining charges once the guilty pleas had been entered. Duffell was to go to trial on 31 charges.

Judge Kim Saunders remanded Duffell on bail. He will appear for sentencing on 21 July.

The charges against Duffell were first laid in September 2014, but had been delayed after two earlier trial dates in February 2016 and July 2016 were cancelled due to a change in lawyers.