Import licence charge brought

Press, 9 April 1979, Page 29

Import licence charge brought

PA Wellington “A most unsatisfactory situation” had arisen surrounding the bringing of a charge of conspiracy against one of two accused, his counsel, Mr M. Reed; told the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington. Mr Reed was appearing for the accused, charged indictably with conspiracy to defraud the public. The charge alleges that he conspired with an importer by fraudulent means, namely by obtaining import licences outside the policy of the Department of Trade and Industry, to defraud the public. Mr M. Camp appeared for the alleged co-offender. The accused were both charged indictably and were remanded on" bail to appear for the taking of depositions on May 28. Mr D. J. Sullivan, S.M., granted continued interim

suppression of name of the accused and interim suppression of the other accused’s name. Bail of $4OO was granted Mr Camp’s client. Mr Reed’s client was granted bail of $5OO with a surety. Mr Reed said that the situation regarding his client was “most unsatisfactory.” “I am told that there is still another charge to be laid,” he said. Detective Sergeant D. Whitford, for the prosecution, said: “I have got no knowledge that further charges are to be laid. On the other hand, I can give no indication that further charges will not be laid.” Mr Camp said, on behalf of his client, that the date set for depositions was neither convenient to himself nor Mr Reed. He said that he had only recently received instructions in the matter.