December 18, 2012

Builder forged signature on bank documents

By Anne Clarkson

A 63-year-old builder was sentenced to home detention and community work after forging his wife?s signature on bank documents.

In the Christchurch District Court, Neville Howard Reese was sentenced on two charges of obtaining by deception after receiving cash worth $144,000.

Defence counsel Simon Clay said Reese regretted his offending, which occurred at a time when he was in a difficult spot, and his business was getting out of control. He said he had no previous convictions.

Police prosecutor Glenn Henderson said the money had been repaid out of his half share of the marital property.

Judge Brian Callaghan said the victim impact report said there was still a dispute about costs, and there were psychological issues which impacted on the complainant.

He sentenced Reese to eight months home detention, and 300 hours community work.

He said there was no reparation due, but there might be civil liability to his former wife.