A Wanganui man who stole almost $30,000 from two Canadians on the pretence of selling them luxury watches, will likely spend the next nine or so years paying them back.
Shane Arnold Goodgame, 26, pleaded guilty to two charges of obtaining by deception over $1000 after advertising two watches, purported to be a Rolex and a Patek Philippe Nautilus, for sale online. He received a total of $29,713.66 for the two.
Goodgame was sentenced to six months' community detention, 150 hours' community work and ordered to pay reparation to both victims in full by Judge David Cameron in the Wanganui District Court.
Goodgame offered to sell his car to pay back some of the debt, saying he expected to get about $6000 for it.
With this in mind, Judge Cameron ordered that $6000 of the total reparation figure be paid by June 15, and if defaulted, he ordered a warrant to seize the car be issued, so it could be sold with proceeds to go towards paying reparation.
Goodgame, who is unemployed and on a domestic purposes benefit, will pay the debt at a rate of $50 a week.
At that rate, even if Goodgame's car is sold for a lump sum of $6000, it will take nine years for him to pay off the remaining reparation.
On May 17, 2011, a man from Canada saw Goodgame's Rolex advertised and emailed to ask about the year of the watch.
He was told it was a 2008 Daytona model, and following an email exchange, agreed on a purchase price of $7132.01 (US$5800).
The amount was deposited into Goodgame's bank account on May 26.
A few days later, the victim discovered Goodgame's email address no longer existed and he never received the watch.
On August 11, another victim, also in Canada, emailed asking about the Patek Philippe watch, and over a series of emails, a purchase price of $22,581.65 (US$19,600) was agreed.
On September 2, 2011, Goodgame received the money in his account and emailed the victim, thanking him for his payment.
The victim never got the watch and all email contact ceased on September 8, with Goodgame's email address becoming invalid.
The victim attempted to get his money transferred back, but was advised it was not possible.
Bank records show within three weeks of receiving the money, Goodgame had spent it all. Among his purchases were clothing and electrical items, including an Apple iPhone valued at $1099.
Police searched Goodgame's house on January 31 and found the Rolex watch, clothing and iPhone.
The Rolex was inspected by a watchmaker and deemed to be fake.
Goodgame's counsel, Stephen Ross, said Goodgame was not a recidivist offender or fraudster, but had custody of a child and financial difficulties had resulted in him looking for dishonest ways of bettering his financial position.
He was deemed a low to moderate risk of reoffending, and had indicated he was able, willing and determined to pay reparation as much as he could.
Mr Ross opposed the idea of home or community detention, saying community work was preferable to having Goodgame on a curfew at home where he could sit and play on the computer.
However, police prosecutor Drew Morrison opposed community work alone, saying it was inadequate, a lot of money had been stolen and police sought the full amount in reparation.
Judge Cameron said the offence was very serious, and Goodgame's criminal history contained a conviction for obtaining by deception.
Goodgame had acknowledged his offending was greed on his part and an opportunity to help out with financial stress, and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Both victims in the matter said that the loss of their money caused them both much stress, financially and emotionally.
Judge Cameron ordered that the clothing and items bought with the stolen money, including the iPhone, were forfeited to the Crown and proceeds from the items paid toward the reparation.