Hamilton man sentenced on 49 charges of fraud and identity theft

A "cunning" Hamilton man has been sentenced on 49 charges of fraud and identity theft. Photo / File

A "cunning" Hamilton man has been sentenced on 49 charges of fraud and identity theft.

Matthew Raymond Phillips, 44, was yesterday sentenced to six months' home detention and 150 hours' community work for the offences in Hamilton District Court.

Phillips defrauded his employer and stole money in a variety of ways, including by transferring business refunds to his own bank card.

"Waikato Police is pleased that the perpetrator was put before the courts and that he has been held to account for his actions," Senior Constable Myles O'Donnell of Waikato Tactical Crime Unit said.

"My thoughts are, and continue to be, with the victims of his crimes. They are the ones who have suffered. Phillips has caused them a great deal of stress."

O'Donnell said Phillips was a cunning individual, "but in the end, as today's sentencing shows, he wasn't so smart".

Police were provided with excellent evidence, which allowed investigators to build up a file to prosecute Phillips.

"The sentencing serves as a reminder to criminals that the law will eventually catch up with them," O'Donnell said.