Man given community work for Facebook deception

NO SUPPRESSION ORDERS

A victim who received a roll of tape instead of the shearing tool he paid $700 for will be paid back.

Gregory Hina pleaded guilty in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday to obtaining by deception, as he was the one who arranged the sale.

Hina was advertising a shearing tool on a Facebook page on behalf of someone else, defence lawyer Harete Hipango said.

The victim agreed to buy it and paid $700 into a bank account Hina provided.

"Unfortunately that was never received," Judge Philip Crayton said.

"You told police that you were selling it on behalf of a friend and left him to post it."

A roll of tape was sent instead, Judge Crayton said.

Ms Hipango said there was "intent of good will".

She said Hina's reputation had suffered since the offending and he was having trouble getting work because of it.

Judge Crayton sentenced Hina to 120 hours of community work and ordered him to pay reparation of $700.